Mauka Hualalai Rentals
CAR RENTAL KONA AIRPORT
DELIVERED TO YOU
4.9 stars on Google. Local, family-owned car rental on the Big Island of Hawaii. Your car delivered to KOA airport, your hotel, or your door. From $69/day.
Mauka Hualalai Rentals
4.9 stars on Google. Local, family-owned car rental on the Big Island of Hawaii. Your car delivered to KOA airport, your hotel, or your door. From $69/day.
Mauka Hualalai Rentals is me and my family. We are a local family in Kona. We believe that helping others is part of our kuleana. We rent cars, SUVs, trucks, convertibles, and Sprinter vans. We deliver these vehicles to Kona International Airport (KOA), Hilo Airport (ITO), hotels, resorts, or to wherever you may be staying. Staying out on the coast? We also do car rental delivery to Waikoloa and the Kohala resorts.
Here's how it works. First, you pick the car you want (I don't say "compact or similar" because you're renting an actual car). Next, you give me your flight number and I'll be waiting for you at KOA arrivals. No counter. No shuttle to a parking lot. No long lines of tourists waiting behind you as well. As soon as you step out, your car is waiting for you at Kona International Airport (KOA).
You get off the plane, collect your luggage and come outside. There's your car. Keys ready. No getting on a shuttle to some remote location and then waiting in line with dozens of other tourists at a rental counter. We'll bring your car to you at Kona International Airport (KOA).
Are you staying at Mauna Lani? Waikoloa? Somewhere off Kuakini Highway in an Airbnb? We'll drop your car at your doorstep. All Kohala Coast resorts. All Kailua-Kona vacation rentals. Anywhere on the island.
These are our cars. We have a small team of ohana doing the work, father and son team Clayton and Eli, Boomer, Victor, Pamela. All real names and people we care about, and are proud of, supporting your rentals. No bait-and-switch. Just an honest local family looking to make your trip special.
A Porsche Boxster with the top down cruising Queen Ka'ahumanu Highway. A BMW 430i convertible rolling down Ali'i Drive. A Mini Cooper S cruising down Waimea. Not a beige Nissan Sentra with 47,000 miles and a mysterious stain.
Most rental companies prohibit their customers from using their cars on the summit road of Mauna Kea. We do not prohibit it. Our 4x4 SUVs and trucks are approved for use on the Mauna Kea Access Road above the Visitor Information Station at 9,200 ft.
What we quote is what you pay. No concession recovery fee (what exactly is that?). No facility charge. No airport surcharge. 200 miles per day are free. We're not going to nickel-and-dime you after your trip.
KOA is located at Keahole Point and is approximately seven miles north of downtown Kailua-Kona along a stretch of raw lava coast. The formal name is quite lengthy: Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole. It was formally changed in 2017 to honor Ellison Onizuka, who grew up in Kealakekua on this island and went on to become the first Asian American astronaut at NASA. Ellison Onizuka tragically lost his life aboard the Challenger spacecraft in 1986. His name is shared by another observatory on Mauna Kea which is used primarily for stargazing.
One of the things you'll likely notice immediately upon landing at KOA is that there aren't any walls surrounding the airport. KOA is one of only a handful of completely open-air airports in the United States and upon exiting the plane you immediately encounter trade winds and views of Hualalai while walking towards baggage claim. There isn't a covered terminal building nor is there a jetway connecting passengers from the aircraft to the ground level. Instead, there's nothing but lava rock and palm trees as far as the eye can see and that unmistakable scent of being on the Big Island. And that sets the tone for your entire stay here.
All major airlines such as United, American, Alaska, Delta, Southwest, and Hawaiian offer nonstop flights from cities across North America directly to KOA airport. Most Kohala Coast resorts are within 30 minutes travel time. Most Kailua-Kona hotels are within 20 minutes. We can provide delivery of your rental vehicle at either of those locations or anywhere else on the island after we receive your arrival flight details so that you can bypass all the hassle and begin driving as quickly as possible.
The Big Island is approximately 4,028 square miles. No Uber outside of town. No subway. One bus that runs when it feels like it.
If you've never been to an "island," you probably don't know how big they can be. When you visit the Big Island, you're going to find that it's much larger than all of the other Hawaiian islands, roughly the same area as Connecticut. On the Big Island, you will also find two active volcanoes with elevations greater than 13,000 feet, 11 different climates, black sand beaches, green sand beaches, rain forests, lava fields, and coffee farms. You won't be able to just walk to many of these attractions.
There is public transportation available in the form of Hele-On buses. They operate several lines throughout the towns that serve the local community, however they usually run late, break down frequently, and typically will not take you to Volcanoes National Park. Or up Mauna Kea. While Uber operates in Kailua-Kona, try calling one from Pololu Valley or along the Hamakua Coast and tell me what happens (probably nothing).
A rental car on this island is not something you want. It's the difference between visiting Kona and exploring the Big Island. Kohala Coast resorts, Captain Cook coffee region, Hilo, Mauna Kea for stargazing, everything else... you'll need a set of wheels. We provide those wheels to you immediately upon landing at KOA.
Here are the driving distances from KOA to all of the things I mentioned earlier, plus a few others
Ali'i Drive, shaved ice at Scandinavian Shave Ice, watch the sunset from the seawall. First stop.
Mauna Lani, Waikoloa, Fairmont Orchid. Where the majority of resort guests end up.
Continuously rated as one of the United States' top ten beaches. White sand, crystal clear water, and plenty of parking.
13,796 feet. Watch the sunset above the cloud line and enjoy some of the world's best stargazing. 4WD required after the Visitor Station.
Kilauea volcano, lava tubes, Chain of Craters Road. Every second of this drive was worth it.
Visit the Hilo farmers market every Wednesday and Saturday, see Rainbow Falls, tour the botanical gardens. This side of the island may be rainy, but it has its rewards.
Simply amazing views of Waipi'o Valley from above. Must use 4WD to drive down into the valley (but you should).
Snorkeling at its finest on the Big Island. And visit a coffee farm on the way. Greenwell Farms offers complimentary samples.
Northernmost point on the island. Harsh hike down to a beautiful black sand beach. Fewer tourists here than at Waipi'o.
Ancient Hawaiian petroglyphs carved into lava rocks. Free and easy to access. Most tourists wouldn't even know about it.
Drive times are approximate and based on typical traffic conditions. The Big Island has mostly two-lane highways with speed limits of 35 to 55 mph.
Choose exactly which car model you'd like before you arrive. Not "small" or "similar."
Sedans, SUVs, luxury sports cars, and 15-passenger Sprinter vans
Convertible Porsche Boxster, convertible BMW 430i, Jaguar F-Type. Open top driving on Ali'i Drive while watching the sunset. That kind of road trip.
From $89/day →
Hyundai Palisade, Toyota 4Runner, Subaru Forester. Accommodate your whole family and their luggage and still make it up Mauna Kea.
From $99/day →
Mercedes-Benz Sprinters capable of transporting up to 15 passengers. Large families, wedding parties, church groups, corporate events. None of them are offered by the large chain companies.
From $149/day →
Mini Cooper S convertibles. Fun little vehicles that are great on gas. Top-down driving for $69/day. Hard to beat that price.
From $69/day →
RAM 1500 with four-wheel drive. Great for hauling gear and handling the rugged Mauna Kea Access Road. Looks good too while doing so.
From $119/day →
Practical, affordable, and reliable for getting where you need to go around the island. Not flashy but gets you there.
From $69/day →
You're renting a car from us at Kona airport because you're renting from this group of local people in this photo, not from a call center, nor a franchisee. A locally-owned business that actually calls the Big Island home!
Inside one of our Sprinters... doing what we do!
We have been in business for over 6 years and love hearing stories from our happy renters. We would love to have the pleasure of adding you to the list!
Information we provide to each of our customers prior to departure. This information will save you a call when you get here.
You'll find plenty of gas stations in Kailua-Kona and Waikoloa. However, as soon as you exit those areas you'll be able to see how far apart gas stations are. There are several long drives on the Big Island including heading north to Hawi, up Saddle Road, or south past Captain Cook. You could easily see 50+ miles without finding a station. Fill up prior to any long drive. We're serious about this.
If you've done research on traveling in Hawaii, you may come across some older travel sites that will advise you against taking Saddle Road. They were referring to the old Saddle Road. It was questionable. The new Daniel K. Inouye Highway is completely different. The highway is wide and easy to navigate. It is located between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa and provides an easier route to Hilo. Additionally, this is the place where you would turn off to visit Mauna Kea. All of our vehicles are permitted to use this highway.
There are many old one-lane bridges along Highway 19, north of Hilo. If someone is currently on the bridge waiting to pass, please let them finish first. Locals will usually give you a wave and allow you to proceed. While these bridges go over large gulches and offer breathtaking views of beautiful waterfalls below, these bridges are part of the experience. Don't miss this drive.
When you depart from Kona airport you'll be leaving at 85 degrees and arriving at the summit of Mauna Kea at 40 degrees. The summit elevation is 13,796 feet. Since you'll be using a four-wheel drive vehicle (which we have), stop by the Visitor Information Station at approximately 9,200 feet for a minimum of 30 minutes to help your body acclimate to the high altitude before proceeding further. Also, make sure to pack warm clothing, bring enough water, and protect yourself from the sun with sunscreen. Believe it or not, yes, you still need sunscreen at almost 14,000 feet. The view at sunset will ruin every other sunset you've ever seen.
Without stopping anywhere along the way, the entire trip should take somewhere around five to six hours. Including all of the amazing attractions listed above (such as visiting Volcanoes National Park, shopping at the Hilo farmers market, viewing Akaka Falls, and driving down the Hamakua Coast), you're looking at having a very busy day or even better, two days. Everyone always says "oh, I thought the Big Island was small like Maui." It isn't Maui! Be realistic when planning your itinerary.
This process couldn't be simpler. You simply reserve your car online and include your flight number. Once you've landed at KOA and retrieved your luggage, go directly to the arrival pick-up area and your car is ready with keys. No shuttle buses, no long lines at the rental counters, no standing in line behind forty plus other travelers who arrived via the exact same flight. We deliver cars to both hotels and resorts and directly to your rental location upon arrival. Learn more about our Kona airport car rental delivery.
For U.S. residents, only a valid driver's license is required. For international travelers, you should bring your valid driver's license from your home country along with your passport. Although not mandatory for renting a vehicle in Hawaii, an International Driving Permit is helpful. We take all major credit and debit cards.
Absolutely. As soon as you exceed the 9,200 foot elevation mark on Mauna Kea beyond the visitor center, the road becomes rough gravel and extremely steep while the air pressure drops significantly due to elevation. Each national chain of rental companies at KOA will inform you that none of their vehicles are suitable for driving to the summit of Mauna Kea. We do however provide 4x4 SUVs and trucks that are specifically approved for access to the summit road of Mauna Kea. If getting to the summit is important to you, contact us.
It depends on what type of vehicle you want. Mini Cooper S convertible starts at $69/day. BMW 430i convertible starts at $99/day. Porsche Boxster starts at $129/day. These prices are inclusive of 200 miles per day and zero hidden fees (no airport surcharges, concession recovery charges, or facility fees). The big chains at KOA will quote you a price ranging from $120 to $240/day for a similar class of vehicle and then add additional fees onto that amount. Check out our full fleet and pricing. Watching the budget? See our cheap car rental in Kona with no hidden fees.
Yes! It's a little under three hours from KOA via either Highway 11 (the recommended route as it goes through many coffee farms and offers stunning ocean views) or Highway 19 via Hilo. Both routes are paved. Any of our vehicles can handle either route. Make a whole day of it! Pack snacks.
Honestly, we're totally biased. But yes. The Big Island is huge, over 4,000 square miles. The public transportation system includes a few routes between cities. Uber doesn't really work well anywhere except downtown Kailua-Kona. To visit all of the attractions, including Volcanoes National Park, Mauna Kea Observatory, the Hamakua Coast, Hilo, and nearly anything else beyond your hotel's pool area, you'll absolutely require a rental vehicle. Each week we receive messages from travelers who attempted to travel around this massive island without a rental vehicle, and each message expresses regret that they did so.
When you rent a vehicle from one of the larger companies (Enterprise, Hertz, Budget, Avis), you first arrive at their designated drop-off/pick-up location. Next you either take a shuttle to their office or walk there yourself. After waiting in line (in peak season, expect to wait 30 to 60 minutes) your next step is to be assigned a generic sedan model available. With us, you can select the make and model of the exact vehicle you'd like to rent prior to arrival at the Kona airport. A Porsche, a BMW, or even a Sprinter, just let us know. Instead of waiting in line at a counter, we bring your rental vehicle directly to you when you arrive at the airport. Or your hotel. Or your Airbnb. See why locals and visitors choose us over the chains.
Yes, however finding them at the major national chain locations may prove difficult. As far as we are aware, none of the major rental car companies at Kona airport have vans or Sprinters available. We have Mercedes-Benz Sprinters capable of seating up to 15 people. These vehicles are ideal for families traveling together, wedding party transportation, church group trips, film crews, and corporate retreats. Our team will deliver your rented vehicle right to you at KOA, your hotel, or wherever you need it.
21 years of age. In contrast to many national chains which charge younger renters (those under 25) extra fees, we treat all qualified renters equally regardless of age. If you are 21, you are good.
Yes we do. Weekly and monthly terms on all of our vehicles. There are several categories of people that fit into this type of rental: remote workers, travel nurses, seasonal residents, and snowbirds who need a vehicle for a month or longer. Our long term car rental in Kona is much cheaper than renting by the day. All you have to do is ask and we will give you a price quote.
Yes. If your ship calls at Kona, you are tendered ashore to Kailua Pier and we meet you there with your car. See our Kona cruise port car rental page for how a port day works.
Book in 2 minutes. Car delivered to KOA airport, your hotel, or your door. Real person answers the phone.
We offer the convenience of delivery where you want it, when you want it. Flying into Kona? We deliver to KOA airport. Flying into Hilo? We deliver to ITO airport. Staying at a resort? We come to you.
Make your smiles per dollar go even further!
We appreciate those who serve. First responders, active military, veterans, and teachers all save 5% on any rental. Just mention your role when booking and show valid ID at pickup. Our way of saying mahalo for everything you do.
Use code THANKS4SERVICE5
Book a weekly rental or longer and we will deliver your vehicle anywhere in the Kona area at no extra charge. Hotels, vacation rentals, or even KOA airport pickup. No shuttle buses, no waiting in line. Your car is ready when you are.
Use code KONADELIVERY2026
Traveling with family, a group, or hauling gear? Save 5% when you rent any van for a week or longer. From our spacious Ford Transit passenger vans to our Mercedes Sprinter, there is plenty of room for everyone and everything.
Use code WEEKVANRENTAL
Locals ride for less. Show a valid Hawaii state ID at pickup and save on any rental. Because the people who call these islands home deserve to explore them too.
Use code KAMAAINA
