Anybody Here from Molokai?

Something that may be worth a try.

http://www.molokairentalcar.com/

These people make no money on cars that are sitting in the lot. Maybe contact them and attempt to negotiate a reasonable price, based on a rental that begins in January and ends in March. At $2000 a month, I'd offer them $2000 for my entire stay, with guaranteed payment in full...or maybe start at $1500 cash. Half on arrival, balance at the end. I've never been there, but there are places that people are insulted if you don't haggle with them.

This would break down to about $22 a day or less.

Depending on your location, you may also be able to get by with mopeds or golf carts.

Yes, I saw that one. They list Alamo cars.

The problem is, there are few rental cars on Molokai and Alamo is the only renter. National apparently has an office there at Hotel Molokai, but the National web site can't find it. Besides, National and Alamo work out of the same airport desk, so I bet their rates are identical. There's no competition keeping prices down.

I'll make a few phone calls to Molokai to be sure, but first I wanted to get the inside skinny from somebody who lives there. Like, is there a rent-a-wreck place? Will a used car dealer rent me a car? Will Bobby Beachcomber or Sammy Surfer rent me a car?

Hmm.

Lack of competition certainly drives prices up. I'm trying to think of a website that I saw a year or so ago. It's a great site, and is for travelers that are on a shoestring budget, but want to see the world.

It's got tips on things like this, from people that have been there...including contact info for people that can help you out. I'll see if I can find it.

Here's a start:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g29221-c17547/Molokai:Hawaii:Taxis.And.Rental.Cars.htm

Not sure how creative you are willing to get on your quest, but a call to the local real estate agents, along with mentioning your wish to potentially relocate there, could yield some promising results.

http://molokai-aloha.com/

What a rip off island...at least on cars.

For $2000 or less, you could bring your own car.

http://www.autotransportdepot.com/auto-transport-ppc.php?gclid=COHZiKaUkroCFUmi4AodBXYA2w

I know this sounds crazy, but I would look at buying a car here for $600-$700, that runs well, ship it over there, bring the title, drive it for 3 months, and sell it before I left.

Not a bad idea. We plan to spend winters in Hawaii from now on (in 2015, we're booked on Kuwai), so it might not be a bad idea to buy a car and leave it there. Just checked rentals in Honolulu, with the thought that I could take it to Molokai on the ferry, but rentals are just as pricey there. Say, starting a rent-a-wreck business on Molokai might be a great retirement idea!

It just might!

The rental rates are insane.

Buy a used car, then. Wassaproblem?