Travel thoughts-Maui.

[Resto Guy]

After reading through the topic regarding display of gun related decals on vehicles, it got me thinking. This summer I will be traveling to Maui. (Hawaii, BTW, does not honor CC permits from any other state, so no gun for me.) I have read that rental cars are often targeted by local thieves and I would like to blend in if possible, I don't want to be ripped off because of my car. I don't normally leave valuables exposed in a car, but that won't always prevent a break-in.
I've considered buying some kind of local decal to display on a window. I can scrape it off before returning the car. Maybe leave an empty holster on the passenger seat while away? Any other ideas?
Thanks!

 

[VegasOPM]

Don't leave valuables in your car. Hotel rooms usually have safes- leave them there or keep them with you.

 

[riverrat373]

Leave an empty holster on the seat and you can bet the vehicle WILL be broken into!

 

[Neverwinter]

You could call their visitors bureau and find out what suggestions they have.
Wait until you get there and see what the other cars look like before you try to belnd in.

 

[acdodd]

The last time I was in Maui the car rental place advised me to not leave anything in the car. Leave the doors unlocked and the windows rolled down.
If a thief wants in they will get in.
I never had a problem.
By the way try to get to Little Beach.
Last time I was there there were naked women all over the beach.
On the down side there were naked men too.
AC

 

[jakemccoy]

How are rental cars identified?

 

[danbrew]

dude, maui is a little place. i can't envision that you'll have any problems with your rental car as long as you don't leave a bunch of goodies in plain view.

take the road to hana, then continue on the road around the se side of the island and keep going. you'll eventually make it to a small church on a rocky plateau overlooking the pacific and looking back to the mainland us. you'll find a solitary grave there. you already know who the person is who is buried there, but i'll bet you don't know who it is now. in other words, you'll have no idea that this person is buried there, but you will be well acquainted with this person when you find the grave. it's a solitary, humbling experience.

not to bring you down on Maui - it's a blast. many many things to do. go rent a motorcycle from Maui Dual Sport and explore. take a bike ride from the top of Haleakala volcano. you'll peddle maybe 5 times down the mountain. yes, the bikes have great brakes.

 

[highbrass]

You should not leave anything of importance or value in your vehicle in Hawaii, period. Especially at the beach parks, shopping centers or scenic lookouts. It doesn't matter if your items are in your trunk, hidden or whatever.

People can usually tell the look or make of a rental car, but perhaps one or two local style stickers *might* confuse the thieves. A couple of suggestions I'd make are "Eddie Would Go" or "Ainokea".

Also, if you take a camera with you or anything of value be sure not to leave it unattended on the beach, even wrapped up in a beach towel you may have been watched.

Hawaii ranks 5th in the US for crystal meth use and Maui being the 2nd most populace isle, they are not immune to this plague.

Also, Gun laws in Hawaii are very strict, many residents are hopolophobes so it's a bad idea to leave an empty holster in the car. Someone could break in looking for the gun or call the police to report the holster.

Don't let this scare you off, just be informed and aware.

 

[7.5-Swiss]

Leaving your TV on in your hotel room throughout the day is a nifty trick that should deter most potential thieves.

As far as autos go, I would avoid leaving any valuables in it if possible - if not, make sure they're out of sight!

 

[Resto Guy]

Thanks for the tips, guys. I want to do the Hana ride, did not know about the church. Bike ride sounds cool, too. But all of that will have to wait until I can confirm about the "naked women"...
And the holster thing was really a joke. At least a console full of used .357 and .45 brass would make a thief pause and look back!

 

[alohachris]

Howzit Restoman,

You can't hide a rental car here. They're all American made and locals only drive Honda, Toyota, and Mazda's. Don't leave anything in your car, ever. The meth heads break into local's cars just as often. Hotel lots are safe, beach parks are not. Restaurants, shops, etc are 50/50.

Have fun & be safe!
Aloha,
Chris

 

[hso]

Rentals also stand out because they are new, most cars I remember in Hawaii had years, if not miles, on them.

If you're at a beach and find you're the only haole there, leave.

 

[Sheldon J]

I loved Maui, stop by the open street shops you can buy cultured Pearls for 10 cents on the dollar there.... Just be willing to dicker and they will drop the price a heap to get a sale...

 

[Trebor]

If you're at a beach and find you're the only haole there, leave.

Good advice. While it's fun to go off the tourist areas, it's best to do it with a local Island friend. If not, you can quickly get into all sorts of trouble as the locals have a very love/hate relationship with tourists.

I second the recommendation to check out Little Beach, btw. The time to go is Sunday evening. The firedancers come out and practice and it's something to see. Firedancing looks dangerous enough and my hat's off to the guys who do it naked!

 

[Kragax]

So, who IS in that grave?
Ill never see Hawaii

 

[highbrass]

Speaking from my personal experience as a local Hawaiian, my experiences with thievery have been more often occasioned by people of haole descent than any other, hence I believe this observation to be in error.

If anything, avoid crowds of idle young men (of any race).

If you're at a beach and find you're the only haole there, leave.

 

[Slinger]

So, who IS in that grave?
Ill never see Hawaii

Charles Lindberg.
There, I saved you a trip.

 

[CWL]

Maui is sooooo mellow for tourists. Been going there for over 20 years.

Unless you go looking for trouble outside of the tourist areas, you shouldn't fear anything violent from locals. I think most brawls are between drunken tourists.

Nothing you can do to no make you not look like a tourist, just don't leave valuables exposed and enjoy your time in Maui.