I lived on Oahu for a total of 35 years, moving to Maine in '99.

Oahu has a large concentration of Vanagons (and old bugs, as far as VWs go).

I shipped my '84 7 passenger to California, and the shipper (Matson)
wouldn't allow anything in the van that didn't come with it (jack, etc).

The rust problem in Hawaii is partly truth and partly myth.  If you live
right on the beach where there is a "salt breeze" then you're going to have
a rust problem.  If you go to the beach frequently and don't wash the van
after ... you could have a rust problem.  My '84 had been in Hawaii since
new and had no rust.  Rust proof your vehicle, keep it washed, and don't
forget to wax.  You shouldn't have much of a problem.

Buying a 2wd vanagon in Hawaii would be pretty easy and you could probably
sell it when you leave for about what you paid.  I don't know about syncros.
A former list member had a syncro westy on the big island (island of
Hawaii), so I know they are there.

Mike
Houlton, ME
'84 GL 7 pass (former Hawaiian vehicle)
'85 GL Westy

> I'm looking at a 2-year job in Hawaii. I'm considering
> shipping my syncro westy (loaded full, too!) there.
> I've heard rumors or rust being worst than the east
> coast! So, should i ship the bus, or store it for free
> at my brother's place in central California?  I'm
> figuring it'd be cheaper to ship it than it would be
> to purchase and then sell a vehicle. Plus the added
> cargo space to move there would be handy.
>
> thanks
> matthew
> 86 syncro westy 1.9TD
>
> =====
> Matthew Pollard         "Racing with the wind and flirting with death
> Dept. Of Chemistry     So have a cup of coffee and catch your breath"
> University of Idaho
> www.ftir.chem.uidaho.edu
>
>
>
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