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James "Kimo" Rosen is a retired professional photographer amongst other things lived in a tent outdoors for 7 years. Rosen currently resides on the tropical island of Kaua'i with his best friend and spiritual adviser, Ivanka "Costco" Obama, The Bipartisan Dog!     Sunrise/weather/photos June~2021 (These photos made it to Hawaii News Now) Photos courtesy, James "Kimo" Rosen Blog #2072~Kimo's world #318 Hitchhiking and the rental car crisis |
on the Hawaiian islands is said to be short 40-50% of what it was prior to the pandemic.
The crisis forced 
the major car rental companies to sell and ship many of their fleet to mainland America. The number is said to be over 10,000 vehicles.
the major car rental companies to sell and ship many of their fleet to mainland America. The number is said to be over 10,000 vehicles.
Car rentals are said to be going for as much as $700-800 a day. Visitors are being packed into airplanes
like sardines, some call them cattle flights. This has created a huge dilemma of skyrocketing tourism which has created chaos with the return of traffic gridlock, long lines at restaurants, grocery stores, and the notorious shortage of rental cars statewide.
like sardines, some call them cattle flights. This has created a huge dilemma of skyrocketing tourism which has created chaos with the return of traffic gridlock, long lines at restaurants, grocery stores, and the notorious shortage of rental cars statewide.
There are visitors who have resorted
to renting U-Haul vans in lieu of the traditional convertible or Jeep, some adventurous tourists are renting bicycles, others are resorting to Uber, Lyft, taxis, and other ride-sharing services.
to renting U-Haul vans in lieu of the traditional convertible or Jeep, some adventurous tourists are renting bicycles, others are resorting to Uber, Lyft, taxis, and other ride-sharing services.
Many locals have gotten in on the action and are renting their island beaters for a couple hundred a day.
A single mom on Oahu was renting her brand new Hyundai sedan for $350.00 a day. She was doing so well her father gave her a loan to buy two more to rent. This single mom is now making a killing and bringing in over $1,000 a day.
A single mom on Oahu was renting her brand new Hyundai sedan for $350.00 a day. She was doing so well her father gave her a loan to buy two more to rent. This single mom is now making a killing and bringing in over $1,000 a day.
There is a solution to the vehicle shortage that won’t cost a penny. Hitchhiking is easy on Kauai.
I’ve hitched many times from Kapa’a to Kilauea and from as far as Waimea canyon to Hanalei. I’ve never waited more than 15 minutes for a ride. Hitching on Kauai is very safe, the aloha spirit is alive and well. I never had a ride where I felt threatened.
I’ve hitched many times from Kapa’a to Kilauea and from as far as Waimea canyon to Hanalei. I’ve never waited more than 15 minutes for a ride. Hitching on Kauai is very safe, the aloha spirit is alive and well. I never had a ride where I felt threatened.
Visitors wanting a true adventure and possibly making some friends for life and saving
all that car rental and ride-sharing fees, try to stick out your thumb and give hitchhiking a try.
all that car rental and ride-sharing fees, try to stick out your thumb and give hitchhiking a try.
While you're at it, throw away that hotel key and set up a tent on the beach, and make friends
with the surfers and beachgoers. Last but not least save the huge fee of eating out by loading up on peanut butter, jelly, and a loaf of bread and share with the houseless population that is abundant all over the islands.
with the surfers and beachgoers. Last but not least save the huge fee of eating out by loading up on peanut butter, jelly, and a loaf of bread and share with the houseless population that is abundant all over the islands.
The worst
scenario, and it may not be that bad is if the cops threaten to arrest you? You could spend a few free nights in our local jail and possibly find your soul mate?
scenario, and it may not be that bad is if the cops threaten to arrest you? You could spend a few free nights in our local jail and possibly find your soul mate?
Just kidding, 'y'all come back now, ya hear.'
This blog appeared as an Op-ed/Guest column
in the 06-15-21 edition of the Garden Island News!
Hana Hou (Encore)
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12 comments:
When I first moved to Kauai in the 1990's I hitched everywhere, never had a problem, and like you said I made many friends!
Thank you, Kimo!]
Hank
Will G June 15, 2021 12:14 am Reply
I wouldn’t pick up Rosen or Yoder.
peter williams June 15, 2021 9:40 am Reply
this is rosens latest attempt on
his recent apology tour to present himself as a humorous character. After the last 4 years of spreading conspiracy theories and lies i’m not buyin’ it…go away
tunataxi June 15, 2021 9:49 am Reply
Just the title I knew this was a Rosen story
Enrique June 15, 2021 2:55 pm Reply
Ya let’s pick up a hitchhiking tourist fresh off the plane during a pandemic. Great idea!
David Presley June 15, 2021 3:30 pm Reply
What about restricting flights to 1980 levels, you know… what our roads are designed for.
Too early for humor, woke society doesn't allow folks to laugh anymore, how sad? ;-(
james June 16, 2021 7:25 am Reply
“Kimo” trying to re-invent himself as a Will Rogers humorist man-of-the people but we remember all the Trump ass-kissing and conspiracy wackiness. Nice try.
Kimo, You've always been a humor /satire/writer. I find this work genius, the beginning and middle lead up to a fun ending. Thank you for making my day.
Francine Grace
With Unsolved Murders still in the Cold Case Files, that’s a hard pass for me.
My luck, I’d pick up one of the many Criminals who find Kauai a nice place to hideout from their Crimes committed elsewhere. 😙😙
Lee Gately
I pick up riders very frequently. Recently, I picked up an elderly (80-ish) couple from California who reserved a car but it wasn’t available. They needed a ride from Prince Kuhio to Kōloa Town. It’s fun meeting new people. I wish there were an app that someone could use to connect riders with drivers who happen to be going the same way. 🌴
Lee Gately
Five years ago I was driving to Hanalei and found two visitors waiting for a bus that wasn’t coming. They joined me, and later we added a resident who had a box of food and needed a lift just for a few miles. Some of these riders become good friends. 🌺
Richard Sy
Lee Gately Uber is a pretty great app. Problem is there are only a handful of drivers on our island.
Lee Gately
Richard, very true. I wish the had an Uber app for hitchin’ a ride. I’d call it Free Ride. 😊
Leilani Otani
Can’t believe the garden island newspaper is actually using this as an article!!!!! WOW! It’s illegal, it’s not safe, not to mention cars are NOT going for that much anymore.. Median price is about $250….
David Medeiros
or... hear me out... put in a functional public transit system.
Francine Grace
David Medeiros Be careful what you wish for. Some brainiac might decide we need a gazillion dollar #failrail too.
They can’t even do anything about trying to get rid of the contraflow cones & come up with a more permanent solution. It’s been at least 30 years of setting up & taking down cones. Not much faith in our "leaders".
Padraic Gallagher
That's workable if you a single traveler, but solo travelers here do not make the 40 to 50 percent of travelers here. Most are families or couples, can't see hitchhiker working for a family of four with little kids and a lot of luggage. Seems the author needs to get outside his bubble.
Carolyn Jarvis
True. My family and I were there at the end of May. No car rentals available but we got a pickup for a week. Very expensive. Also, we had to jump through hoops getting our Covid tests and having the forms checked at each layover (Maui, Honolulu, and Kauai). However, the trip was incredible.
Herritcha Straatgip
no way...!
Graciana Lopez-Jaena
I'm sure the victims of the "Phantom hitchhiker killer of Santa Rosa" thought it was a good idea too.
Billy Guy
I have hitch hiked on Kauai so much and if no bus will do so again.
David Pinheiro
Absolutely moronic
Naomi LippKrysler
I understand it's illegal to hitchhike in Hawaii? The same as it being illegal to ride in a bed of a pickup.
Cal Santos
I wouldn’t pick up a tourist….
Chris Gross
An axe murderers' wet dream
Mr. Rosen, have you noticed the difference in the character of the people who comment on the Garden Island News Facebook page versus the actual newspaper page itself is 180 degrees? The Facebook commenters are civil, the newspaper commenters are rude and usually use personal attacks. Just my observation.
CommonSenseish June 17, 2021 7:08 am Reply
smh… hitch hiking is ILLEGAL in Hawaii. Nuff Said.
Common Sensei, Have you ever heard of Tongue-in-cheek sarcasm, relax, laugh a little. I believe that's Kimo's style and whats he's trying to convey. Chill out and quit busting Kimo's chops.SMH too!
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