KIHEI - Small local rental car companies, such as Kihei Rent A Car, are turning a profit as their chain competitors are reducing the size of their fleets to cope with the downturn in tourism and lack of demand.
Lynn Solu, Kihei Rent A Car owner and manager, said that from December to about two weeks ago, her entire fleet of 300 cars in Kihei and Hana were rented and being used by regular winter tourists as well as those who had to scramble to find cars after the large rental car chains were sold out.
"We were getting the overflow from the major companies at the airport," Solu said last weekend.
While the company wasn't sold out Sunday, "we don't have a lot of cars available," she said.
Last week, business was also apparently booming at Word of Mouth Rent-A-Car in Kahului.
"I'm slammed right now," a manager said over the phone. He couldn't say when he would have time to talk, but he acknowledged that customers were searching for rental cars after not finding them available elsewhere.
Large rental car chains reported they have decreased their fleets on Maui - some in double-digit percentages - because of the lack of visitors. They said the move reflects an industry trend.
The lack of cars at the large companies has driven visitors to smaller, local rental car companies.
Solu said winter is always a busy time, but this year it was especially busy. Kihei Rent A Car officials had to turn away many customers each day because they didn't have cars available.
"We had people who were just calling everyone trying to find cars," she said. "We felt so sorry for some. We were able to help some people. Sometimes we just would get them into something for one day, so they could get their groceries. We were squeezing people into anything we could."
The upswing in business has compensated for the slow times last year, especially after the shutdown of ATA and Aloha Airlines in the spring, Solu said.
"We did good. My employees worked really hard," she said.
Especially during these tough economic times, Solu said she is thankful for the business.
"I don't care how hard I have to work. I won't complain about getting too busy. It pays the bills," she said.
Solu said her father started the company in 1990. It has had different locations over the years. It is now located near Lokelani Intermediate School in Kihei. The company also has a location in Hana, which opened last year.
The company employs 25 people, she said.
* Melissa Tanji can be reached at mtanji@mauinews.com.
