Getting my M3 to Big Island?

[Gwelo]

Hi all!
Expecting delivery, according to Tesla, between July 10-19th in Honolulu. Need to transport to Big Island. Any recent experiences? What shipper, how long, need to make appointment, etc? Better for me to fly over, take delivery and then take to dock? Anyone there to help?
So far no communication from Tesla other than expected delivery window .
Thanks for any help, suggestions, etc.
Nick

 

[araxara]

I asked Bard for you and this is what it said (sorry for the canned response):

Hi Nick,
I hope this email finds you well.
I'm writing to you in response to your query about transporting a Tesla from Honolulu to the Big Island.
I've done some research and here are a few options that you might want to consider:

• Young Brothers:Young Brothers is a shipping company that specializes in transporting vehicles between the Hawaiian Islands. They have a flatbed truck that can be used to transport Teslas. According to their website, the average transit time for a vehicle from Honolulu to the Big Island is 3-5 days. You can contact them to get a quote for your specific needs.
  
  
• Island Transfer & Storage:Island Transfer & Storage is a moving company that also offers vehicle transportation services. They have a fleet of trucks that can be used to transport Teslas. According to their website, the average transit time for a vehicle from Honolulu to the Big Island is 2-3 days. You can contact them to get a quote for your specific needs.
  
  
• Hawaii Auto Transport:Hawaii Auto Transport is a vehicle transportation company that specializes in transporting cars between the Hawaiian Islands. They have a team of experienced drivers who can safely transport your Tesla. According to their website, the average transit time for a vehicle from Honolulu to the Big Island is 1-2 days. You can contact them to get a quote for your specific needs.
  

In addition to these companies, there are also a number of freight forwarders that can arrange for the transportation of your Tesla. Freight forwarders typically have a wider network of carriers than the companies listed above, so they may be able to get you a better price.
Once you have chosen a company to transport your Tesla, you will need to provide them with the following information:

• The make, model, and year of your Tesla
• The VIN number of your Tesla
• The date and time you need your Tesla transported
• The location in Honolulu where your Tesla will be picked up
• The location on the Big Island where your Tesla will be delivered

The company will then schedule a pickup time for your Tesla and provide you with a tracking number so you can track the progress of your shipment.
As for whether it would be better for you to fly over, take delivery and then take to dock, that's a decision that you'll need to make based on your specific circumstances. If you're not able to get a good quote for shipping your Tesla, then it might be more cost-effective for you to fly over and take delivery in person. However, if you're short on time or if you don't want to deal with the hassle of flying, then shipping your Tesla might be the better option.
I hope this information is helpful. Please let me know if you have any other questions.
Best, Bard

 

[Gwelo]

Thanks Bard, plenty to think about.

 

[nanimac]

Hi all!
Expecting delivery, according to Tesla, between July 10-19th in Honolulu. Need to transport to Big Island. Any recent experiences? What shipper, how long, need to make appointment, etc? Better for me to fly over, take delivery and then take to dock? Anyone there to help?
So far no communication from Tesla other than expected delivery window .
Thanks for any help, suggestions, etc.
Nick

Tesla should have options for shipping. I think they use Young Brothers. Delivery specialist should reach out to you when car is in Honolulu.

 

[delirio]

Aloha Gwelo. Probably this is old news to you since you received your vehicle in July but for the benefit of future readers from the Big Island (or any other part of Hawaii outside Oahu): Tesla abruptly changed their delivery policy for Hawaii in early August 2023. Previously (and at the time I ordered my MYLR for delivery to the Big Island) the policy on their website was as follows:

For Hawaii-outer-island deliveries, we will coordinate shipping to your preferred Hawaiian island through locally-approved shipping companies. The shipping company will deliver your Tesla vehicle directly to your island, and will connect with you directly for payment.

In August they surreptitiously changed the website to:

For Hawaii deliveries, vehicles are available for pick up at our Tesla delivery location on Oahu only. If you live on another Hawaiian island and want to ship your vehicle to your island, you may do so only after the vehicle is first delivered to you on Oahu. All registrants must be present for the delivery after which you can work with local shipping companies to ship the vehicle from Oahu to your island at your cost.

Unfortunately Tesla is not honoring the prior Delivery Policy for any customers who placed orders before the change. They simply decided to "retire that option" for any and all customers - current and potential - not living on Oahu. So for those HI customers living outside Oahu, what you can expect is notification when your vehicle arrives in Honolulu... and that is pretty much it. After that you are on your own.

It is disappointing Tesla would not honor the policy at the time an order is placed and unfortunate to see such a disincentive to Tesla ownership in Hawaii at a time when interest in EVs in Hawaii is rapidly increasing.

 

[Gwelo]

Aloha delirio!

Seems I barely made it under the wire myself.
I placed my order on June 27 and had a VIN assigned the next day.

Delivery scheduled between July 17 - 21. In the following days the date would slip a few days at a time until Aug 1 it stopped appearing in the app at all.

On Aug 1 I called my contact at Tesla to ask where the car was. Was told it had just arrived in Oahu!

On Aug 2nd contact told me the 3rd party shipping to outer islands was discontinued with apology.

That same day I received email from Autumn at Tesla SC, Oahu that I could still do the deal.

She took care of all the details including shipping, registration, inspection, etc, and put me in contact with Honolulu Management (3rd party delivery services) which picked up the car from the SC and drove it to the Young Brothers dock on Aug 11th.
The car didn't ship til the 20th and I picked it up on the 21st.

If I can help you in any way please message me. There would be lots of logistical issues getting the car to the big island. No idea why Tesla discontinued this service.
All in it cost me $1046 (actual shipping was $450) so you have that much to work with.

Good luck!
Nick