Just Visiting

Hey everyone!

Some friends and I will be visiting Oahu coming up and the end of January and early February. We plan on renting a couple of Tacomas from folks on the island through a website called Turo (www.turo.com) which is like a local Airbnb for renting vehicles. We chose renting from local individuals instead of a rental car company because of the vast amount of limitations that the rental car companies put on customers, especially with taking rentals off road whatsoever.

My question is in regards to good places to explore. Obviously I have no intention of seriously wheeling these vehicles whatsoever out of respect for the owners. Also, the trucks are mostly stock. However, I would like to get off road a little bit to explore the island and maybe get out to some hiking trailheads, beach access, or to explore some easy local trails. I also do not want to encroach on the privacy of the locals as well considering that we are tourists.

Just looking for a little guidance for our trip. If anyone can recommend places that we should check out or offer any advice at all, it would be greatly appreciated!

 

Sadly, there aren't many areas where you can go driving. There is Kaena point, but you need to get a permit and gate lock codes. I'm not sure if you can do it for a rental vehicle or have the owner get the vehicle permitted before you get here and then have the owner get the codes for you. There is also a scenic hike out to the point, it is a sea bird nesting sanctuary, and sometimes seals can be spotted lying out in the sun.

Only other 4x4 drive to a trailhead I know of is Poamomo trail, which requires a permit and multiple gate codes. The hike and view is definitely worth it.

Google those and check out the Honolulu Department of Land and Natural Resources website for more info.

 

@Vigo, thank you very much for the information! I'll dig a little deeper into your suggestions and see what I can find.

When you say gate codes, do you mean private land? Or are the codes something that is supplied from the state government organization upon permit receipt?

 

It's regulated by the DLNR. You need to register your vehicle and then get the access code. Not really a visiting kind of thing.

 

Norfolk

 

Never been there but live right down the street. How's the terrain?

 

I won't be using a "rental" vehicle though. I will be renting through Turo which means a local resident is renting their vehicle out to me.

 

Yeah but I doubt you'll be able to register that vehicle in your name with the DLNR and then get it in time if you were. It's not a visitor or day pass registration. It's an annual registration. Feel free to try though.

 

Ask the person you're renting from if they have the Kaena Point access permit? They'll need to add you on as a driver but it's doable. The permit is tied to the vehicle and the registered owner or additional drivers.

 

Great to know as well! I didn't realize it was an annual registration. My apologies.

Thanks for the tip! I'll get in touch with the owner!