Ryan,

I can't give you Vanagon specific information about Oahu.  I was stationed at
Sand Island (Honolulu harbor) for two years so I can share a little island
knowledge.  Everything on Oahu is expensive.  Get as much work done on the
main land as you can afford before you ship it over.  If you are in the
military there are some pretty good do it yourself auto shops at Hickham (Air
Force has all the good stuff), Pearl Harbor, Schoffield Barracks and Konehoe
(spelling is dubious -- MCAS on the north side of the island).  There is a
fairly large Vanagon population on the island so you shouldn't have much
trouble finding an experienced mechanic.  State inspections are a farce but
be prepared to have your headlights adjusted everytime.  The shops don't get
paid much for the inspections so they make up for it by tweaking your
headligts -- could be that headlight alignment is particularly critical in
Hawaii.

Chuck
'85 Wolfsburg Westy - 'Roland the Road Buffalo'

In a message dated 6/11/02 9:33:25 PM, LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM writes:

>Date:    Tue, 11 Jun 2002 15:18:12 -0700
>From:    Ryan Haagensen <rdhaagensen@EARTHLINK.NET>
>Subject: Hawaii (Oahu) Vanagon Info
>
>I am probably moving to Oahu in the next few months and wanted to know
>if I
>should get any major work done to my 90 Carat here in San Diego before
>I
>have it shipped or are there many good shops on the island? Also, anyone
>have any first-hand experience on shipping a Vanagon to Hawaii from So.
>Cal?
>Please p-mail any replies cause I don't want to fill the list up with this.
>Thanks
>
>Ryan, 90 Carat Auto- San Diego