“Your reviews are so great, I just had to try out your business”. “We’ve come back to Kihei Rent-A-Car every year, for the past 20 years.” “The lady at the Air B&B where I’m staying recommended you”. “My friends who live here said they always use Kihei Rent-A-Car.” “The Uber driver brought me here, saying you are the best place to rent a car on Maui.”
In pondering the reason why this small, local rental car company that is 12 miles away from the Kahului airport, is such a successful business, it finally dawned on me. Businesses have character, and at the center of this 29 year old family owned and operated rental car company is the heart of that character. In this case two hearts. Dave and Sugar Hunkins started Kihei Rent-A-Car almost three decades ago. Just the two of them. In a shack behind the 76 gas station in Kihei. They worked side by side providing Kihei folks with decent cars, excellent service and home made goodies (thanks to Sugar:)
(see their story here: http://www.kiheirentacar.com/about.html)
Today their business has a 450 car fleet, four properties used for parking, 23 employees, and 25 well fed cats.
The reviews reflect what most people feel when they do business with Kihei Rent-A-Car. They are welcomed like visiting family, taken care of with love, respect and appreciation. Often customers get free bananas, avocados, liliqoi, oranges or whatever food is in season and abundant. They always get greeted with a warm smile and friendly, efficient service.
Nowadays, you will find Dave and Sugar at their farm in Hana. Sugar spends most of her time tending to her lush, tropical garden, caring for her 30 chickens, or baking fresh bread with bananas from their orchard. When Dave is not tending to his goats or more than 30 birds in his aviary, you’ll find him doing water aerobics at the local senior center or delivering bananas, eggs or other donations to non-profit organizations.
This beautiful couple is the reason this small rental car business is loved by so many customers.
At Kihei Rent-A-Car the customers really are like family.
