No Rental Cars in Hawaiʻi? Youʻre Looking in the Wrong Place
Published on - 2023-04-17
Your tropical vacation is right around the corner. You’ve booked your flight and accommodations, and now the only thing left is to reserve a rental car. Except, you can’t find one.
Travelers have been asking why there are no rental cars in Hawai’i for months now. The selection is limited, and when you do find a vehicle, it’s so ridiculously overpriced that it makes you question whether a visit to Hawai’i right now is even a good idea.
Thankfully, you have other options. While there is still a rental car shortage in Hawai’i, vehicles are available if you know where to look. Instead of waiting for Hawai’i rental car prices to drop with the national chains, your best bet is booking with a local company.
Is There Still A Rental Car Shortage In Hawai’i?
With its stunning beaches, volcanoes, and cultural attractions, Hawai’i has always been a favorite tourist destination. Yet according to the Hawai’i Tourism Authority, the state’s total number of rental cars dropped by about 40% from 2019 to 2021 as many companies sold off portions of their fleets during the pandemic.
As travel rebounds to pre-pandemic levels, ongoing supply chain and labor issues have slowed down the major companies, explaining why it seems like there are no rental cars in Hawai’i. Fleets cannot rebuild fast enough. Demand is simply too high.
But there isn’t truly a rental shortage in Hawai’i. Peer-to-peer car rental platforms and local rental companies have filled many of the gaps, but the national chain competition has prevented rental car prices from dropping on many travel aggregator sites.
Why Travel Search Engines Can Be Misleading
Even though travel search engines are the best way of getting a rental car for cheap, it’s not always the case. If you compare the websites of Orbitz and Expedia, two of the biggest aggregators, you’ll notice an uncanny resemblance between them, right from the interface to the prices of the cars. That’s because they’re owned by the same company — Expedia Group.
In fact, most travel search engines out there are owned by one of three companies: Expedia, Booking Holdings (Priceline, Kayak, and Booking.com), and Tripadvisor. There’s a tangle of behind-the-scenes contracts, commissions, and deals that put rental cars onto those sites, and not every rental agency wants to — or can afford to — jump through those hoops. The result is it may appear that there are no rental cars in Hawai’i for your travel dates when that simply isn’t the case.
Local companies have smaller fleets and less overhead. Instead of entering into expensive contracts with fare aggregators, they usually prefer to pass price savings directly to their customers. When you need to rent a car in Honolulu, you may find the best deals by contacting rental companies directly.
The Best Way to Rent a Car in Hawai’i in 2023
We can’t promise when rental car prices will drop in Hawai’i, but we can give you our best available deal right now — no gimmicks, no complicated rewards system, and no hidden fees.
With GoVibe, you can escape the rental car shortage in Hawai’i with convenient airport pick-up and dealership-quality vehicles. Local companies like GoVibe still have fleets when there are no rental cars in Hawai’i through the big national chains. Why? Because we work with local dealers to sustainably source and service a small number of cars at once.
We have a people-first mindset and technology-driven operation to cut overhead and handle requests efficiently. So whether you need a compact sedan or a large SUV, trust GoVibe to bring you a vehicle at the most affordable rate possible.
As an added bonus, you’ll know you’re supporting a locally owned and operated business. By keeping more money in the local economy, you’re directly contributing to the creation of more jobs and the sustainable development of the area. It’s a win-win situation for everyone involved!
Begin Your Hawai’i Adventure With Us
At GoVibe, we’re proud of the service we offer our customers and the opportunities we create for our community to thrive. When tourists wonder why there are no rental cars in Hawai’i, we step up with fair pricing and unbeatable service.
Right from the moment of booking, we ensure your ultimate convenience. When you reach the airport terminal, we welcome you with the spirit of Aloha and a valet-like service so you can reach your rental car in comfort after your long flight. We also offer the flexibility of having your rental car delivered to you at any of our partner hotels on Oahu. Hotel drop-off means you can rent a car only for the days you’ll need it, whether it’s just one day or an entire week.
Booking with GoVibe means a consistent, stress-free rental experience and unparalleled customer service. Stop wondering why there are no rental cars in Hawai’i or waiting for rental car prices to drop. Give us a call at 808-292-5188 now to get the best deal.
