Hawaii's Lemon Law

If you drive a car and it's a lemon, don't make lemonade. Get help through the State of Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. They offer an arbitration program to help owners of poorly running purchased vehicles to recover the money spent on that vehicle.
There is help. Last year alone the DCCA helped recover $919,000. For yearly statistic reports on the Lemon Law, go to www.hawaii.gov/dcca/areas/rico/scap_llaw/reports_llaw/
It's no laughing matter to have a newly purchased car that doesn't run, but the only way to get through this horrendous situation is to poke fun at it. So, here's the top ten list of why a vehicle may be declared a lemon that is squeezing your pocketbook is as follows:
10. You've looked in the mirror and seen the word sucker written on your forehead after you realized the beauty of the vehicle was only skin deep and a more through examination proved it's defective.
9. It's replete with malfunctioning parts (I.E.-- You spend more time in a tow truck or pushing the vehicle rather than riding in it.) You've also spent a total of 30 or more business days waiting for the vehicle to be fixed.
8. Not only can the vehicle not be used, but you know there's not a snowball's chance in Kilauea that you'll be able to sell the car for fair market value.
7. No one wants to get in the vehicle with you because it's just not safe due to a serious nonconformity that can cause death or serious injury if and when the vehicle is driven.
6. You've tried to get it fixed by the manufacturer's authorized dealer during the period allowed by the Lemon Law but it is still a no-go.
5. You dutifully sent a letter by certified mail with a return receipt requested to the manufacturer of the problems you've been incurring before the statute of limitations runs out on the Lemon Law.
4. You've kept your temper and given both the dealer and manufacturer enough time to make the needed corrections. You've taken the vehicle in at least three times during the Lemon Law Period but it's still broken after the third repair.
3. You're still spending more time riding in a tow truck or pushing the car instead of driving behind the wheel.
2. You've written and asked for arbitration with the State Certified Arbitration Program within 365 days after the Lemon Law Rights Period has lapsed.
1. And, the number one reason...you feel like crying.
For more information call:
OAHU COUNTY
587-3222, then press button 3
MAUI COUNTY
984-2400, then dial 73222, followed by the # pound key.
Lanai and Molokai: 1-800-468-4644, then dial 73222, followed by the # pound key.
BIG ISLAND/HAWAII
974-4000, then dial 73222, followed by the # pound key.
KAUAI COUNTY
274-3141, then dial 73222, followed by the # pound key.
Or write the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs at:
Regulated Industries Complaints Office
Consumer Resource Center
235 S. Beretania St., 9th Floor
Honolulu, HI 96813
For more information, visit the Hawaii Lemon Law Internet site at:
www.hawaii.gov/dcca/rico
For a State of Hawaii Lemon Law Handbook, go to: www.hawaii.gov/dcca/areas/rico/scap_llaw/rico_scap_handbook.pdf/view
For a Motor Vehicle Complaint Form, go to:
www.hawaii.gov/dcca/areas/rico/forms/

Teens: Driver's Education

Driver’s Ed
Q: Why Driver's Ed?
A: It's mandatory, that's why!
Hey, I don't make the rules, I only report them. There are many reasons why driver's education is required in the State of Hawaii for all potential teenage drivers. Perhaps a parent or guardian doesn't want to be bothered with the process. Maybe they won't take the time to explain the laws.
Whatever the reason, the Department of Transportation knows each student needs uniform training, including 30 hours of classroom and six hours of driving instruction, to make driving on all Hawaii roadways safe.
Fortunately, driver's education is offered in most of the high schools throughout the state. It's an affordable way to go because the Department of Education only charges $10 for the entire course.
Unfortunately there is usually a long waiting list to get into classes. Many of the schools take students based on grades and attendance, so it's prudent for high school students to do their best in school in order to receive priority placement.
High school students who have transferred from a mainland campus and have already attended driver's training in another area of the country need to immediately go see the driver's education instructor on campus. Oftentimes the need to take driver's education can be waived if the student meets certain qualifications.

Age has EVERYTHING to do with it

In order to attend driver's education, a student is required to be at least 15-and-a-half years old and already have obtained an instructional permit.
The permit is good for one year from the date it was issued and can be renewed for another year if it's within 30 days of expiration or 90 days after the expiration date.
The failure to renew carries stiff consequences, including a 180 waiting period before the permit holder is allowed to take a road test.
Those who do not earn their license by their 19th birthday will have to start all over as a new applicant.

Driver’s Training

It's time to make a loud groan again, then get over it. Driver training is required throughout the entire State of Hawaii. It's all in the effort to curb inattentive and misjudging actions that cause teenagers to crash. It's to start young drivers on the right path by teaching them respect for all the other drivers out there. Then there's the traffic laws. Yes, they're there for a reason. They protect everyone out on the road. I know most teens out there are hearing "blah blah blah, blah, blah, blah" right now, but this is important stuff, so pay attention.
There are circumstances in which it is difficult to get into a school-based driver's education program. If this is the case, it might be the right move to look into private driver training programs. Avoid fly-by-night businesses. The course needs to be certified by the Department of Transportation.
Also, don't get ripped off. There is a legal limit to what instructors can charge for their services. Prices cannot exceed $250 per person for driver's ed classroom instruction, $50 per hour for driving lessons and $250 per person for a simulator course.

Certified driver training courses throughout the island include:

OAHU
ABS Driving School
Instructor Danny Kali
Hickam Air Force Base Community Center
(808) 833-1423

Accurate Driving
Instructor Glenn Oide
931 University Ave., Rm. 208
(808) 735-1604

Blaine Apo's School
Instructor Blaine Apo
Lanakila Elementary School
(808) 550-0539

Drive Academy
Instructor Curtis Won
St. Andrew's Priory School for Girls
(808) 531-5556

Drive Safe Hawaii, Inc.
Instructor Kathy
Nuuanu YMCA
(808) 541-5250

Driver Training Center of Hawaii
Instructor Fusao Nishibun
Kapahulu Senior Center, 3410 Campbell Ave.
(808) 396-8263

Driver's Education Hawaii
Instructor John Kennedy
800 S. Beretania St., Suite 250
(808) 545-2911 or 383-5160

Ewa Beach Driving School
Instructor Mark Akiona
Ewa Beach Elementary, Rm. F104
(808) 685-2419

Five Star Driving School
Instructor Scott Haneberg
Hickam Air Force Base Community Center
(808)358-8781

Kermit Brown Driving School
Instructor Kermit Brown
85-866 Farrington Hwy., Waianae
(808) 696-2826

Valentine Driving School
Instructors Hilda and Stacey Valentine
3355 Likini St.
(808) 423-1288

KAUAI
Akamai Driving School
Instructor Alfredo Carbonel
Waimea High School
Koloa Elementary School
Chiefess Kamakahelei School
(808) 652-3783

Kauai Community College Driving School
Office of Continuing Education
Kauai Community College
(808) 245-8311

Pacific Driving School
Instructor Dona Hanohano
Kula High & Intermediate Schools
Kilauea Elementary School
Wilcox Elementary School
(808) 246-4648

MAUI
Ace-IT Driving
Instructor David Hufalar
Lahaina Intermediate School
(808) 665-5999

Drive Safe Maui
Instructor Charles Hall
St. Anthony Junior Senior High School
(808) 243-2200

HAWAII (Big Island)
Hawaii State Driver Training Academy
Instructor Eda Hinchcliff
74-5589 Alapa St., B2-202, Kailua-Kona
(808) 329-9242

Coded
Driver’s Training
{B}{H2} Do the time and you'll be fine {/H2}{/B}
It's time to make a loud groan again, then get over it. Driver training is required throughout the entire State of Hawaii for all new drivers. It's a way to provide experience for teenagers in order to curb inattentive and misjudgment on the roadways. That's the may cause why teenagers tend to crash.
Driver's Training is a way to start you on the right path by teaching respect for all the other drivers out there. Then there's the traffic laws. Yes, they're there for a reason. They protect everyone out on the road. I know you're probably hearing "blah blah blah, blah, blah, blah" right now, but this is important stuff, so pay attention.
There are circumstances in which it is difficult to get into a school-based driver's education program. It's the cheap way to go because the Department of Education only charges $10 per student.
However, there can be circumstances beyond your control. Perhaps you have an aversion to getting up early in the morning, or you are involved in sporting activities or a job that may get in the way of fulfilling driver's education and behind-the-wheel training at school
If this is the case, it might be the right move to look into private driver training programs. Avoid fly-by-night businesses. The course needs to be certified by the Department of Transportation.
Also, don't get ripped off. There is a legal limit to what instructors can charge for their services. Prices cannot exceed $250 per person for driver's education classroom instruction, $50 per hour for driving lessons and $250 per person for a simulator course.

Certified driver training courses throughout the islands include:
OAHU
* ABS Driving School
Instructor Danny Kali
Hickam Air Force Base Community Center
(808) 833-1423
* Accurate Driving
Instructor Glenn Oide
931 University Ave., Rm. 208
(808) 735-1604
* Blaine Apo's School
Instructor Blaine Apo
Lanakila Elementary School
(808) 550-0539
* Drive Academy
Instructor Curtis Won
St. Andrew's Priory School for Girls
(808) 531-5556
* Drive Safe Hawaii, Inc.
Instructor Kathy
Nuuanu YMCA
(808) 541-5250
* Driver Training Center of Hawaii
Instructor Fusao Nishibun
Kapahulu Senior Center, 3410 Campbell Ave.
(808) 396-8263
* Driver's Education Hawaii
Instructor John Kennedy
800 S. Beretania St., Suite 250
(808) 545-2911 or 383-5160 {/>*}
*E wa Beach Driving School
Instructor Mark Akiona
Ewa Beach Elementary, Rm. F104
(808) 685-2419
* Five Star Driving School
Instructor Scott Haneberg
Hickam Air Force Base Community Center
(808)358-8781
* Kermit Brown Driving School
Instructor Kermit Brown
85-866 Farrington Hwy., Waianae
(808) 696-2826
* Valentine Driving School
Instructors Hilda and Stacey Valentine
3355 Likini St.
(808) 423-1288

KAUAI
* Akamai Driving School
Instructor Alfredo Carbonel
Waimea High School
Koloa Elementary School
Chiefess Kamakahelei School
(808) 652-3783
* Kauai Community College Driving School
Office of Continuing Education
Kauai Community College
(808) 245-8311
* Pacific Driving School
Instructor Dona Hanohano
Kula High & Intermediate Schools
Kilauea Elementary School
Wilcox Elementary School
(808) 246-4648

MAUI
* Ace-IT Driving
Instructor David Hufalar
Lahaina Intermediate School
(808) 665-5999
* Drive Safe Maui
Instructor Charles Hall
St. Anthony Junior Senior High School
(808) 243-2200

HAWAII (Big Island)
Hawaii State Driver Training Academy
Instructor Eda Hinchcliff
74-5589 Alapa St., B2-202, Kailua-Kona
(808) 329-9242

Teens: Licensing Requirements

Welcome to the real world!

We've all been there, waiting to get behind the wheel. Having your own set of keys. Freedom. It's exciting for teenagers, yet dreaded by the rest of adult society.
Here's the hard part. Listening to those older than you. It may sound harsh, but when adult family members tell a teenager to "grow up," they're not copping an attitude. They really want to see their young person reach adulthood. Living in Hawaii it's plain to see, the ohana, or family, is very important to the culture. One of the saddest things is losing a loved one, especially when it's a teenager who lost his or her life behind the wheel of a car.
Because of a high loss of life for new drivers, a law was enacted throughout the entire State of Hawaii to lessen the vehicular death rate for this age group. Effective January 9, 2006, Hawaii switched over to a three-step graduated licensing program to help teenagers under the age of 17 gain valuable experience and mature driving habits when operating a motor vehicle.
At this point, it's an appropriate time to moan and gripe a little, but get over it quick because statistics show teenagers, especially those who just secured their license, are not able to cope with the many road hazards presented while driving. A lack of maturity combined with putting the metal to the pedal can, and usually does, make any car or truck a lethal weapon in a crash.
So sit back, relax and read all the rules and regulations. Enjoy growing up and having an ohana of your own to take through this process!

Ready, set, go....maybe!

It's your season of learning to drive and operate a car or truck in a safe fashion. Snicker, snicker, jeer, jeer. That's what most of the teen population wants their parents or guardians to think. You drive safe when the elders are in the vehicle, but throw it into high gear and drive a little reckless and fast when showing off to friends.
Obtaining a license in the State of Hawaii is difficult for teenagers, but it's a good lesson because there are many occasions in life where a person needs to jump through hoops to get what they want, and this is no different.
Because of a teen's need for speed, there are three "slow-down" phases for all teenagers living in the State of Hawaii to complete in the new graduated licensing program.
The first step is the Instructional Permit Phase. A potential driver must be at least 15 years and 6 months to take this step. Once the permit is obtained, it must be carried with the driver at all times while driving a vehicle. From 5 a.m. to 11 p.m., the teenager with an instructional permit must be seated next to a licensed person who is at least 21 years old. Between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m., it is mandatory to sit next to a supervising parent or guardian while operating any vehicle.
The second step, known as the provisional license phase, takes place for teenagers, ages 16 to 18, who has successfully held an instructional permit for at least 180 days and passes a state certified driver's education course and road test. Once the provisional license is secured, it must be carried each and every time a vehicle is driven. This isn't a time to show-off, because driving, from here on out, is a big responsibility. Teen drivers are required to make sure passengers are wearing their seatbelts at all time and that children under four years of age are properly secure in a child safety seat.
This is not the time to take friends for a joy ride. Only one person below the age of 18 is allowed to accompany a provisional license holder, unless of course they are accompanied by the licensee's parent(s) or legal guardians.
There are also night time driving restrictions where a provisional licensed driver cannot drive between the hours of 11 p.m. to 5 a.m., unless accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. The only exception is for a teen driver who is traveling to or from their place of employment. This is not a free pass, however, because the provisional license holder must carry a signed document that gives the employer's name, address, telephone number and verification of employment and work hours. The same is true for after-school activities, but everyone knows it's a very rare occasion in Hawaii when a child is asked to stay out past 11 p.m.
The third and final step is a full driver's license. It's important to mind all p's and q's in the first two phases in order to reach this final stage. Any infractions of the rules or pending violations up until this point can spell disaster. There are penalties attached to those who think they can defeat the law. The first conviction will result in the provisional license being suspended or revoked for six months. The second conviction extends that to one year.
There is hope, however, for those drivers over the age of 17, who have successfully held their provisional license for at least six months. They are eligible to upgrade to a full license at this time.
All this to say, be patient and good luck as you drive down the road to adulthood!

Introduction to securing a Hawaii Driver's License

Aloha Everyone!
There's no such thing as a Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in Hawaii, so you can skip websites with that name in it. I am a professional writer and I've done a lot of research on the subject, so this is your one-stop shop, so to speak, on the subject of how to secure a license if or when you decide to live in paradise.
Each of my posts have a different heading, so look for your topic of interest and click on it. If you have any questions, please contact me at:
writeaway777@hawaii.rr.com
And remember, if it's not here, don't trust what you read. It's probably written by people living on the mainland who have no clue what it's like to drive in the islands.
By the way, this site is free. I'm not looking for anything from you. I just want you to understand what it's like driving in the 50th State--just so you realize we drive local style -- as in "no worries, no hurries." So relax, sit back, and take the driver's seat. And welcome to the islands!
Aloha, Karen