M. Toguchi Body Shop Featured on KHON 2, Business Matters
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How to Keep Your Car Cool on Maui
Aloha!
Maui’s tropical climate is known for its warm temperatures and abundant sunshine. While the beautiful weather is perfect for enjoying the island’s stunning landscapes, it can pose challenges for car owners. Excessive heat can make your car uncomfortable to drive and potentially cause damage to its interior components. This article will explore practical strategies to keep your vehicle cool and protected from the scorching temperatures of Maui’s hot weather.
- Park in the Shade: Finding a shady spot to park your car is the simplest and most effective way to keep it cool. Seek out shaded areas such as parking lots with trees or covered structures. If shade is unavailable, consider using a car sunshade or windshield visor to block direct sunlight from entering your vehicle.
- Use Window Shades: Installing window shades or tinted films on your car’s windows can significantly reduce heat buildup. These shades help to block the sun’s rays and keep the interior cooler. Choose shades specifically designed for automotive use and comply with local regulations regarding window tinting.
- Ventilate the Interior: Before getting into your car, open all the windows or doors for a few moments to allow the hot air to escape. This process, known as “airing out,” helps to circulate fresh air and reduce the initial heat buildup. Consider using your car’s ventilation system or air conditioning to cool down the interior quickly.
- Utilize Sun-Reflective Materials: Covering your car seats and steering wheel with sun-reflective materials can prevent them from becoming excessively hot. Use light-colored or reflective covers to reduce heat absorption and protect surfaces from sun damage.
- Employ Seat Covers and Floor Mats: Invest in seat covers and floor mats designed to resist heat. These accessories protect your car’s interior from the sun and make it more comfortable to sit in during hot weather. Look for materials that have thermal insulation properties to minimize heat transfer.
- Regularly Maintain Your Air Conditioning System: A well-functioning air conditioning system is crucial for keeping your car cool in hot weather. Schedule regular maintenance checks to ensure your system is in optimal condition. Clean or replace air filters as recommended, and have your refrigerant levels checked by a professional technician.
- Consider Remote Start Systems: Remote start systems allow you to start your car’s engine and activate the air conditioning system before you enter the vehicle. This pre-cooling feature ensures that your car’s interior is already cooled down when you’re ready to drive, making your journey more comfortable.
- Regularly Clean and Condition Your Car’s Interior: Proper cleaning and conditioning of your car’s interior surfaces help protect them from sun damage. Use appropriate automotive cleaners and conditioners to prevent cracking, fading, and discoloration caused by excessive heat and UV exposure.
Mahalo for Reading
Maui’s hot weather can challenge keeping your car cool and comfortable. By following these strategies, you can minimize heat buildup and protect your vehicle’s interior from the sun’s damaging effects. Remember to park in the shade, use window shades, ventilate the interior, utilize sun-reflective materials, invest in seat covers and floor mats, maintain your air conditioning system, consider remote start systems, stay hydrated, and regularly clean and condition your car’s interior. By implementing these tips, you can enjoy a cooler and more pleasant driving experience in Maui’s hot climate while preserving the longevity and value of your vehicle.
Maui’s Best Bars
Maui is a beautiful island in Hawaii well-known for its stunning beaches, outdoor activities, and vibrant nightlife. There are plenty of bars on the island where you can relax, grab a drink, and enjoy the beautiful scenery. Here are some of the best bars on Maui:
Fleetwood’s on Front Street:
Mick Fleetwood, the drummer for the iconic rock band Fleetwood Mac, owns this bar. It’s located in Lahaina and offers a great view of the ocean. The bar features live music, a rooftop lounge, and a menu with various drinks and food options.
Monkeypod Kitchen:
This bar is located in Wailea and is known for its craft beers and cocktails. The bar has a great outdoor seating area that offers beautiful views of the ocean and the surrounding landscape. The menu features locally sourced ingredients and a variety of delicious dishes.
The Dirty Monkey:
This bar is located in Lahaina and is known for its lively atmosphere and live music. The bar features many beers, cocktails, and food options. It’s a great place to grab a drink and dance the night away.
Spanky’s Riptide:
This bar is located in Kaanapali and is a popular spot for locals and tourists. The bar features a variety of drinks, including tropical cocktails, beer, and wine. The menu features classic bar food and local favorites.
Maui Brewing Company:
This brewery is located in Kihei and is known for its craft beers. The bar features many beers, including seasonal and limited-edition brews. The brewery also offers tours to learn about brewing and sample different beers.
Charley’s Restaurant and Saloon:
This bar is in Paia and is a popular spot for locals and tourists. The bar features live music, various drinks, and a menu with different delicious dishes. The bar has a laid-back atmosphere and is a great place to unwind after a day of exploring the island.
Down the Hatch:
This bar is located in Lahaina and is known for its seafood and cocktails. The bar features a variety of drinks, including tropical cocktails and beer. The menu features fresh seafood and classic bar food.
Maui offers a great selection of bars where you can relax, grab a drink, and enjoy the beautiful scenery. Whether you’re looking for a lively atmosphere or a laid-back vibe, a Maui bar is perfect.
9 Ways to Stay Fit On a Tropical Island
Hawaii is home to a prevalent gym culture. On the mainland, people talk about how they must start getting their beach bodies ready around March. Here in Hawaii, we need our beach physique year-round. Ironically, the Maui beaches feature people of various body types.
This post will discuss Hawaii residents’ many options to stay in shape. Fitness and health are easier attained through variety than through monotony. It’s worth pointing out that we don’t talk about nutrition in this post. While food is vital to good health, this post aims to inspire you to exercise. We hope you enjoy 9 Ways to Stay Fit On a Tropical Island.
1. Running
Hawaii and Maui especially are great places to run. Our state host a vast number of world-renowned running events. It doesn’t snow here; even when it rains, it’s not too cold to run.
2. Walking / Hiking
Maui boasts some of the most beautiful and famous hikes in the world. I like to throw in at least one long walk per week to help me keep up with my fitness goals. A decent hiking pace will increase your heart rate to give cardiovascular benefits.
3. Biking
Maui boasts some excellent dirt biking trails. Road bikes can also be used in many flatter areas of Maui as a viable means of transportation. The island is also home to a vast selection of world-class biking racing and triathlons.
4. Swimming
Swimmers have many great options here. We have excellent access to public pools. If one is more adventurous, there are some great options in the open ocean. Being able to swim on Maui is a must if one doesn’t want to be left out on some of the best activities. Also, swimming is a prerequisite to just about any ocean-related activity.
5. Surfing
Surfing has been such a blessing throughout my life. I started around seven years old and will continue until seventy. One of the great blessings in my life has been to teach younger family members how to surf. If you are looking into surfing, it’s best to have access to someone who knows the ropes, as it can be hazardous for the inexperienced. It’s also to remember that surfing takes a lifetime to master, so don’t expect to be doing things that professionals do for a while.
6. Windsurfing / Kiteboarding / Foiling
Maui has some of the most exciting windsurfing conditions in the world. We attract people from all over the world. Again, starting this sport with someone who can mentor you is essential. I’ve had friends who were world-class windsurfers in near-fatal positions because of equipment failure. Don’t think you can skip being a beginner, and don’t go to spots you are not ready for.
7. Stand-up Paddle and Prone Paddle Boarding
SUP (stand-up paddle) boarding is maybe my favorite sport. I paddled professionally for a bit in my twenties. Maui has some of the best SUP locations in the world, but, again, please consider safety. I’ve known many a beginner than have nearly died from not taking the right precautions. Be aware of wind conditions. Most places on Maui see higher wind as the day progresses. Sometimes this change can go from no wind to 45mph in a few minutes so be prepared and do go too far from shore. Beginners should stay within 50 feet of the shore.
8. Snorkeling and Diving
While one doesn’t think of snorkeling and diving as a fitness activity, one will realize if they are not fit very quickly while diving.
9. Outrigger Canoe Paddling
Paddling is a beautiful sport. I can think of no better sport than engaging with Hawaii’s culture. The paddling community does an excellent job at passing down some of the beautiful traditions, preserving what makes Hawaii great for future generations. Suppose you feel alone on this island and would like to gain some fitness benefits simultaneously. Give Canoes a shot!
Mahalo for Reading
Hope you enjoy this post. Let us know in the comments what you thought. Farewell!
Adapting to a Post-Covid-19 World in Maui
This post is just to talk about some of the problems that are effecting the community here on Maui. For many readers, these points may seem extremely obvious while for others maybe shocking.
The World is Different
Parenting Will Take More Time
Schools are no longer taking children and distance learning is a requirement. This generation will face many problems regarding education. Beyond public education, children have less access to organized sports and similar activities.
Everything points to children being more time-consuming. Family bread-winners will have greater difficulty clocking in hours at the workplace because they will need more time for the little ones. For most, this ultimately means vast changes will need to be made to our lifestyles. Many of us will have to spend less, especially in Maui where most families already work with so little.
Intentional Recreation is More Important than Ever
Obesity was already dangerously high in the United States. The numbers have only become worse since Covid’s arrival. So as an adult who is responsible for children, make sure to have some recreational time with your children. The children need fitness, and studies have shown that exercise help with concentration in studies. Parents need fitness for psychological and psychological benefits.
Screen Time Must Be Limited
It has neve been more tempting to bury ourselves in our smartphones, tablets and computers. With the closure of many restaurants, it’s a great time to take up cooking. Families whom cook their own food tend to be healthier than if they do not cook their own food.
Read paper books. The libraries are still open here on Maui. While the process is slightly different, books are still readily available to the community for free. Furthermore, children who are read to generally do much better academically than children who are not so read to kids.
Other Positive Activities
As stated in our previous article, here are some great possible activities which are available here on Maui.
- Windsurfing
- Surfing
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Gardening
- Diving
- Swimming
- Biking
- Running
- and More
Aloha
I hope this article left you feeling at least a little inspired.
Social Distancing Friendly Activities in Maui
Life these days will never be as it once was. Making adjustments can be rough so we wanted to give you some suggestions to help you cope.
Go for a Hike
Maui is still home to some of the most beautiful hikes and walks in the world. Most of these walks are still available to the public. Getting a little Vitamin D is essential for optimal health. Even if you don’t enjoy the exercise and sunlight when you are getting it, you are sure to feel better overall. Think of the outdoor recreation as paying it forward. Dog owners also can take their dogs and get pet owner points too.
Garden
One of Hawaii’s greatest economical downfalls is its reliance on non-Hawaii food sources. Now is a great time to do your part in producing plant resources locally. Gardening can be an enjoyable recreational activity that most find rewarding. I have been helping my mother with her yard and garden. With gyms closed, gardening and landscaping have been my primary source of exercise and are helping to keep me emotionally and mentally balanced.
Jam Some Music
There has never been a better to time finally learn how to play that instrument that you have been wanting to learn your whole life. Pick up a guitar, piano, or ukulele and start strumming away. Get your start by checking out the unlimited amount of online instructional videos. Once you outgrow the videos, maybe set up some video calls with an actual music teacher. With musicians losing lots of work recently, many professional musicians have turned to online music lessons and online music performances. Not only can you learn how to play, but you are helping musicians transition in their greatest time of need.
Surf and Dive
Since the beaches are back open in Hawaii, it’s a great time to get back in the water. Even if your local public pool is closed, you can always swim in the ocean. Of course, safety is paramount so please do not take any unnecessary risks. If you have any questions about the conditions make sure to check in with a local lifeguard. Ocean novices, please only use beaches with active lifeguards on duty.
Don’t Forget to Zoom
Just because you can’t physically be around your friends, doesn’t mean you should never see their faces. Learn to use Zoom or equivalent software. Many have used social distancing as an opportunity to connect with old friends from all over the world.
Mahalo for Reading
Thanks for checking out our website. I hope you enjoyed the content. Aloha.
Why So Many Abandoned Vehicles in Maui
One thing that visitors often notice when visiting the islands is a high-population of abandoned vehicles on the roadside. As someone who has been to nearly every state, it seems Hawaii sees more abandoned cars than anywhere in the nation.
Why is it so common to see cars abandoned here? In this post, we are going to first talk about what other states are doing that Hawaii is not. Next, we will discuss what Hawaii is doing, that other states are not.
People in Other Places Call the Police When New Cars are Parked Overnight at Their Street
I lived in California for over 15 years. If a car was abandoned, for even a night most residents would call up the police to make sure the car isn’t stolen. This leads to the first reason why abandoned cars are common here on Maui.
Maui is a Transient Community
No place in the country sees more people come and go than Hawaii. On Maui, nearly half of our population comes from tourism. Thus different cars are all over the place. It’s not unusual to see a car here you’ve never seen before on your street. People don’t typically call the police if a new car is parked overnight.
High Registration Cost
In Maui, registration cost roughly 200 dollars a year for a small car. This price increases for large vehicles and electric vehicles. If vehicle owners wish to sell their vehicle they are required to backpay expired registration to transfer a title. For a car with a three-year expired registration and the need for a duplicate title, the price of selling a car can become more than a thousand very quickly.
Safety Checks
Safety Checks are unique in Hawaii. As a Hawaii driver, I’m not exactly sure what they are checking but I know to have all of the external lights working correctly. Safety checks can further complicate the process of registering a vehicle and obtaining a title. Safety Checks add an additional complication when trying to register an unregistered vehicle.
Minimal Consequence for Late Registration
In California, even a six-month late registration will make the vehicle owner in danger of being impounded. Here in Maui, I’ve never heard of a person having their vehicle impounded due to registration. It may happen but it’s certainly rare. A ticket for late registration usually costs around 100 dollars. Comparatively the same ticket in California would cost 300 to 400 dollars.
Many Come to Maui but Do Not Stay
Even if they stay for a long time, most people will leave eventually. Maui does not lend itself to a car-free lifestyle. Having a working vehicle is fairly important here. Many come to Maui and leave a vehicle behind.
Aloha
We hope you enjoyed this discussion, feel free to read some of our other posts to get a local take on some of Maui’s lighter issues.
Let’s Talk About Full Coverage and No-Fault Insurance
Header photo was used with permission from Intense Motorsports Maui.
No-fault and Full-coverage Insurance for Maui Vehicles
Maui is the home of the Maui cruiser. The Maui cruiser is a term Maui residents use for cars that are usually bearly running. It’s not unusual for a Maui cruiser to be at the end of its life.
Because people on Maui often drive older cars, no-fault insurance is fairly popular here. In this article, we are going to talk about insurance and why full-coverage may be more valuable here on Maui when compared to the mainland United States.
As a disclaimer, the prices for insurance will vary from person to person. We are not legally liable if any choices influenced by this post have wrought adverse or undesirably results for blog readers. Now that we have gotten the legal business out of the way, let us talk about insurance.
3 Advantages of Full Coverage Insurance In Hawaii
Peace of Mind
While peace of mind is not exclusive to Hawaii’s vehicle owners, Hawaii offers many unexpected challenges to fixing an automobile without insurance. Accidents are stressful enough without the additional financial concerns that come with no-fault insurance. With full-coverage, price checking is less of a necessity and the vehicle owner can focus more on having quality work done.
Fixing is Better than Replacing
M. Toguchi’s Body Shop has made extended efforts to repair existing auto body parts. We consistently implement procedural changes to not discard damaged auto body parts. Our mission is to be a sustainable business that responsibly considers environmentalist issues. We aim to be sustainable financially and environmentally. Because of the logistical issues, it’s generally easier to get the best technicians through insurance.
Shipping Body Parts is Expensive
Auto repair in Hawaii and Alaska have unique challenges when compared to the rest of the United States. Why? Hawaii and Alaska require parts to be shipped thousands of miles.
According to Brent Toguchi, “freight often costs three times more than the part.” Brent is the Team Leader and Estimator here at M. Toguchi Body Shop. If a replacement hood costs only 100 dollars, it could easily cost an additional 400 dollars with shipping. Shipping auto body parts to Hawaii is expensive, especially if parts need to be rushed.
In Conclusion
When deciding rather go with full coverage or no-fault insurance, consider the price of repair. In California for example, bodywork is much more competitive and inexpensive. While Hawaii insurance is usually more expensive than most states, it may be a better value and peace of mind to carry full coverage insurance here in Hawaii. As stated earlier, your insurance purchase is your choice. We just wanted to give you something to think about. I hope you benefit from what we had to say.
Aloha!
Electric Car Registration Prices Increase in Maui and the Rest of Hawaii
Currently electric and hybrid vehicles make up about 2% of the auto market in the United States. Vehicle registration prices are always increasing. Gas prices are not decreasing. Hawaii is a challenging place to live financially and additional living expenses are always relevant.
One of the greatest advantages of living in Hawaii is the continued access to sunlight. Sunlight can be harnessed as solar power. Solar power is more prevalent in Hawai than most states. It’s reasonable for Hawaii residents to have the highest rates of electric car ownership.
The Difficulties with Technological Advances in Electric Cars
Because of the prominence of electric cars, a new problem has arisen over the last decade. From county to federal, the government is trying to find a way to create a fair equilibrium between electric and non-electric cars. The conversation has two sides. One side postulates the need for renewable energy. The other side says, we all use roads and all should pay for them. To highlight the above discussion, Maui based moped owners are also required to pay registration fees as of this year.
New Fees in the Different States
As of the first day of 2020, in Hawaii, the charge is $50. In Kansas, $100. In Alabama and Ohio, $200.
Federal Perspective on the Issue
“I think states are still trying to determine what is a fair or equitable fee on these electric vehicle owners,” said Kristy Hartman, energy program director at the National Conference of State Legislatures.
“It’s kind of a blanket penalty for anyone who chooses to go electric,” said Neda Deylami, a Tesla owner who founded Chicago for EVs, a group that advocates for electric vehicles.
The fee is designed to bring “more than just a fairness relative to maintenance and construction of infrastructure,” said Alabama state Rep. Bill Poole, a Republican, who sponsored the legislation. “I think it went further in terms of planning for the future.”
Other states with new or higher electric vehicle fees taking effect in 2020 include Iowa, Oregon, and Utah. California, which accounts for nearly half of all-electric vehicle sales in the U.S., is to collect a $100 fee on new “zero-emission” vehicles starting July 1.
Why Is This Relevant?
This is the issue is so amorphous. Choices will be made from a perspective of values. Our last post was about Tesla’s Cybertruck. If you are considering purchasing an electric vehicle, make sure to check what current incentives and fees will affect your purchase. Perhaps a combustion engine may be the best financial choice. Perhaps not. Let us know what you think! Aloha.
The Cybertruck for Maui Life
Hawaii, and Maui specifically, have one of the highest rates of electric vehicle adoption in the United States, if not the world. According to Wikipedia, California is a bit ahead of Hawaii in the the electric car ownership rate. However, Maui has a significantly higher truck owner percentage that almost anywhere in the country. Thus, when actually looking at cars vs cars, Maui easily has the highest percentages of electric car ownership in the nation.
The Cybertruck
On November 21st, Elon Musk demo’d the new Tesla Cybertruck. We will not be covering most of the new features of the Cybertruck in this post. We will speak to our areas of expertise: auto body repair and Maui.
Electric Cars and Trucks on Maui
Being that electric cars and gasoline powered trucks are both very popular here in Maui it seems likely that the Cybertruck will be favorite vehicle here. Furthermore, the Cybertruck starts at prices below 40-thousand dollars, which will be within budget for many Hawaii families.
Going Back to the Future
The stainless steel look of the Cybertruck is very similar to the DeLorean, which was featured in the popular Back to the Future, movies of the late-80s and early-90s. Like the Cybertruck, the Delorean featured a stainless steel body. While everyone agrees that Deloreans are great, the Delorean didn’t achieve commercial success after it’s release.
Possible Problems with Stainless Steel
It is fair to be skeptical of the Cybertruck’s stainless steel body choice. Stainless steel is difficult to keep clean, not being flattered by wax applications. Also, if the stainless steel were to be nicked or scratched, it’s difficult and time-consuming to repair when compared to repainting or paint touch-ups.
Difficulty Finding Technicians
Also, because the body style is so unique, it stands to reason that finding qualified and professional repair technicians would be difficult. As of the time of this article, M. Toguchi Body does not repair any Tesla vehicle model. One could get a Tesla repair at a dealership of course, but this tends to no come cheap (especially with no local competition).
Cars Hit Harder than People
In the Cybertruck demo, we saw a man hit the door of the Cybertruck with a sledge hammer. The Cybertruck appeared undamaged. While the durability of the truck is impressive, the force of a even the strongest human being is nothing compared to a collision with another vehicle or structure.
Cybertruck is Already a Commercial Success
While the DeLorean did not achieve commercial success, the same cannot be said for the unreleased Cybertruck. The Cybertruck has already received nearly a quarter-million separate orders at the time of this post.
Mahalo and Aloha
Perhaps the Cybertruck will come with painted options in addition to the polished stainless steel. We shall see. I personally think the truck would be an amazing tool and toy for Maui life. What do you think? Let us know! Aloha.