You Know Your Car Better Than the Driver Does
You drive your vehicle every day. You know the quirks: the parking brake that sticks, the check engine light that has been on for two years and does not mean anything, the alarm that needs a specific sequence to disarm. The driver loading and unloading your car does not know any of that unless you tell them. A little preparation on your end makes the whole process faster and safer.
Give the Driver a One-Page Vehicle Guide
Write down anything unusual about how your vehicle starts, stops, or handles. If it has a manual transmission, note that. If the key fob is temperamental, note that too. Handing over a quick note when you drop off the keys takes thirty seconds and removes any guesswork for the person loading your car onto the carrier or the vessel.
Photograph Before You Hand Off the Keys
Walk around the entire vehicle and take photos, including the roof, wheels, and undercarriage if you can get underneath it. Do this at drop-off and again the moment you pick it up in Hawaii. This documentation is standard practice and it is the fastest way to resolve any question about the vehicle's condition if one ever comes up.
What Happens During Port Loading
Matson's Hawaii service uses roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) vessels for the mainland leg, which means your vehicle is driven on and off under its own power rather than lifted by crane. That is one reason the vehicle needs to be fully operational: steering, braking, and rolling all need to work for your car to be loaded safely. Neighbor island transfers move by inter-island barge, which is an open-deck crossing rather than an enclosed vessel.
Unloading and Pickup in Hawaii
When your vehicle arrives, you will get an arrival notice with pickup instructions for the destination terminal. Bring your photo ID and booking number, the same two items you needed at drop-off. Walk the vehicle again before you sign anything, and compare it against the photos you took before it shipped.
Have questions about your specific pickup or delivery? Call (808) 378-7540 and our team will walk you through your route step by step.
