shipping car to Hilo from CA

[Freebird]

We used Horizon Lines from Honolulu to Long Beach when we moved last summer - it was $975 and the vehicle was shipped in an enclosed container instead of just parked on the deck of the vessel. They did a complete damage/ding sheet on the vehicle as well as inventory of installed equipment and we signed off on it before it was put into the container - and then we signed off on it again when we reacquired the vehicle in Long Beach. The car arrived safely on the date promised - there was no damage in the least - we were really happy with them and their customer service reps also.

We used Matson when we moved from Florida to Honolulu but that was in 1998 and we had no problems with them then. The one thing that both those shipping companies had in common (you probably researched this already though !) was that they wanted the vehicle delivered to the port with the fuel level at 1/4 tank or less, clean/newly washed, emptied of all personal and aftermarket or detachable belongings (a set of jumper cables were inventoried as ok to stay in the car), and with alarms either disconnected or the remote must be provided to the shipping lines when the vehicle is dropped off. Also since it sounds like you will have ongoing payments on the vehicle, you should check with whatever company you decide to use and ask if you need a letter from the bank or lienholder stating that they are aware the vehicle is leaving the mainland for Hawaii. Both Horizon and Matson required us to give them that sort of letter before they would even take our vehicles into their yards for shipping.

Since you are not going into Honolulu and it sounds like you definitely should avoid the interisland shipping lines, I agree that Pasha sounds like it might be best for you since it goes right into Hilo. They look really good on their website. It doesn't look like the vehicles are covered or in containers but it might still be better to avoid multiple shipping lines. I had not heard of Pasha but I will also remember them for the future (THANKS Jonah K !). Good luck to you firecoach !

[Freebird]

I wrote in my last post "It doesn't look like the vehicles are covered or in containers". . .

I was so very wrong! - my bad - looked more closely at the pictures on the website and it looks like there are multiple decks and everything is completely enclosed from what I can tell, which is awesome. The picture I saw at first when I was just skimming the site was of the cars in the yard waiting to be loaded onto the vessel.

Especially now that it's an enclosed environment, I think if I were you I would use Pasha to Hilo for sure if you can.

[firecoach]

I am going to call them but if it costs a lot extra from Covina, than San Diego, I will just go with A-A Transport. $975 is A LOT of $$ to ship a car, IMO. But I got to bite the bullet, I suppose..... I appreciate your input, freebird!

[firecoach]

It seems that Matson & Horizon may be the way to go now. Got the approval process started with our finance co., thanx so much for that info! I rec'd the paperwork from A-A Transport (& it seems that nobody on here has even heard of them??). Basically, it seems that they arent liable for ANYTHING, ya know? It is worth the extra $100 to have peace of mind, I think.

Anymore advice is appreciated. I am shipping out on July 25th and want to make sure its "all good"!

[dongraf]

I have used Pasha twice for shipping cars from San Diego to Hilo. Great check in facility in San Diego and very accomodating people in Hilo--staying 15 minutes past closing so I could get my car a day early. Both vehicles arrived in great shape. They do what they say they will do for a fixed price. No surprises. Hawaii doesn't get any better than that.

[lseward1]

My husband and I are planning a move to the BI and we are concerned now with moving costs - with the new airline bankruptcies and increased cost of flights. Has anyone ever compared the cost of a cruise to the BI vs a flight?

Also, I thought you could take your pet to Hawaii without the quarentine if they had a chip inserted at least 90 days prior - is this not correct?

[Sweetbeet]

You have to have a rabies blood test (with passing titer) at least 120 days before moving. Before the test (which has to be done at one of two specific sites) the pets have to have had 2 rabies shots and been microchipped. Check out the Dept. of Agriculture site for accurate details (there are many links to the site on here, search for "moving pets" or the like).

[LunaAzule]

Originally Posted by firecoach

I am going to ship my vehicle from Long Beach, CA to Hilo. Can anyone tell me how this went for them? My friend has lived on the BI for over 13 yrs and has adamently told me not to buy a car there. I will be there for 3 months up to one year. Is it worth it to ship the car? Plz only those who have done this, reply.

I've shipped 3 cars from different islands to Long Beach via Young Bros. Except when, on one shipment, things I had packed in the car were stolen, everything went ok. Car arrived in good condition and on time.
Hope this helps, although a bit late in posting.

[OpenD]

Originally Posted by LunaAzule

I've shipped 3 cars from different islands to Long Beach via Young Bros. Except when, on one shipment, things I had packed in the car were stolen, everything went ok. Car arrived in good condition and on time.
Hope this helps, although a bit late in posting.

Yeah, the thread is 4 years old...

Matson, Pasha and Horizon are the three shipping companies between Hawai'i and California/West Coast ports. If you ship using any other company they are merely acting as a broker and shipping via one of these three shippers. Usually at added cost. I recommend you contact them directly.

Young Brothers is the dominant shipper between the islands. They ship cars via towed barge to and from Honolulu, where they are loaded and unloaded for Matson or Horizon shipments. Pasha delivers and picks up directly at each island.

And as of today nothing is allowed to be packed in your car when you ship it, by any of the three shippers.