Shipping motorhome to Big Island

[PacificFlights]

Pasha is best. They do many of the heavy/large vehicle shipments and offer drive on & off. No lifting by crane just to sit on top of containers. Don't know cost, but estimate a motor home would be around $3 - $4 per cubic foot W/L/H.

Before arriving, make sure you have the unit pressure tested for leaks. Although the VOG may not be an issue where you are, it's not the vog but the combo vog/salt/rain that creates acid rain on steroids. You may notice how vehicles and metal roofs are all starting to look bad even without direct vog. Ask about a poly coating over exposed metal and a reseal over joints. Since the recent venting, you'll be surprised how many aircraft metal parts have to be flown in for local aircraft damaged by pitting and deterioration of seams. Probably not a big thing on a car, but something the size of a motor home presents more chances for problems.

Check with the county to find out what the maximum stay on the property is. Unless you’re actually building a house, your total unmoved stay is restricted. All that means is you drive away overnight and come back. Odds are nothing will happen, but one person making a call can bring you grief so know what you need to do so you don't get into trouble for nothing.

Although Hawaii is a big island, it's nothing but a giant "O" so the actual road network is limited. Add that many of those roads can't handle large/long vehicles. Since you can drive the entire island in a day, there's not many places to go where a car isn't better suited. You will also find that most places are designed for cars. You may reach a spot but have no way to turn around or park for that matter. Even WalMart, Sams, and Costco wouldn't welcome your motor home on Hawaii as parking is at a premium many times.

A good way to get an idea of the limitations is look at the tour companies. Some have regular passenger coaches but have to switch the tourist to smaller vans because their coaches can't navigate the roads. I have a friend who delivers containers and many places on the Big Island the 40' containers can't be delivered.

One last thing, there are no RV centers on the Big island so make sure you pack some of the needed parts that you really wouldn't want to wait for delivery.

Honestly, the Big Island is not RV friendly, Narrow roads, weight limits on bridges, switch-backs, no RV facilities, small parking lots, low tree coverage in many areas, and Acid rain. Of course, you can bring it over and rent it out.

[Jonah K]

I haven't seen any motorhomes on the Big Island longer than the 22' "Minnie Winnies" that Harper's rents. They have to be getting them from somewhere, so here's a link that might be helpful....
Harper Car and Truck Rentals. Hawaii Motorhome Rentals, Motorhome Rentals Hawaii, Hawaii Motorhomes, RV Rentals

[hotzcatz]

Well, there is basically only one road on the island. It mostly goes around the outer edge. There are a few branch spur roads which go off from that, but once you've circled the island - which even on ka Moku Nui - can be done in a day, you've driven about everywhere. This road, by the way, goes through a lot of little hamlets, has a top speed of 55 mph and has a lot of places with no shoulders or extreme drop offs. They are finally getting around to putting up guard rails in many spots not that I really think those are going to keep cars from going over the edge. If you have a 4WD motorhome, then it could go more places.

Basically, though, it sounds as if he is going to haul it to HOVE and set it somewhere.

[PukaFace]

There was a posting on the Puna forums, I believe. It was related to a couple who shipped their C-class motorhome to the Big Island to live in while they built their house. You might do a search here online. Also see "islandrv.com". Don't forget that the Big Island has many many D-9 or bigger bulldozers, many delivery trucks that are Semi-truck in size, large cranes and car haulers, all much bigger/heavier that a typical motorhome. How did they get to the Big Island? I think people just don't "see" them because they are so used to their presence. But as others have already said, unless you like driving in circles, and camping at the only two places where motorhomes are allowed, their isn't much you can do other than use it while you build. The humidity will be a big issue. A large "carport" structure over the motorhome would be a definate necessity for it to last more than a few years. Good luck with whatever you end up doing !