[BLKJACK3D]

Hey guys,
Just wanted to introduce myself since I'll be coming to the great state of Hawaii in a few months. I am in the military (Navy Submariner) and am getting stationed there soon. I hope to meet a lot of people and make it to some BMW meets. Any advice on what to expect and/or how to make the move as painless as possible is greatly appreciated. Here's my car that I'll be bringing along.

[Evan_RS]

welcome, nice ride.
Expect a lot of haters, trash talking and drama.

[slippyturtle]

Welcome! One thing you'll have to prepare your car for in order to get it legally safety inspected here in Hawaii will be a Reconstruction Permit. You can read more info on that here:

http://www.forumshawaii.com/index.ph...formation-faq/

[Rennfahrer]

Looking at your mod list, you will have a hard time passing Hawaii's yearly 'safety check' let alone 'Recon'. First on the list is your 20% tint. Legal percentage here is 35. You may want to change it. Or not. As long as you know the right people, you won't have a problem passing safety.

As for a local BMW community, there are a good bunch of BMW guys on Oahu. Hook up with Team BMW. They are an underground car club but they have many members and hold a lot of meets and drives.

In regards to Hawaii's culture, as long as you respect the local customs and people, you will get along just fine. Hawaii is a big melting pot of folks from all over the world so expect a massive culture shock. There is a big military presence in Hawaii so you shouldn't have problems finding friends from the mainland.

Other than that, enjoy the sun, girls, and bimmers.

And as we say in Hawaii, E Komo Mai and Alooooooooooooha!

[Tyler0630]

Only thing to worry about is tint. Other than that you should be good. +1 on team bmw hawaii.

Send email to teambmwhawaii@gmail.com. i think thats it. Or facebook.com/teambmwhawaii

[Tyler0630]

Originally Posted by Valentino_RS

welcome, nice ride.
Expect a lot of haters, trash talking and drama.

Lol

[BLKJACK3D]

Thanks for the info guys. Much appreciated. Just wondering, my South Carolina registration isn't up for a while, can I keep my tint until it is up?

Valentino RS: I expect hating and trash talking anywhere.

Rennfahrer: Do you happen to be German? I was born there and lived there for 11 years. Half German as well. Also, what does "E Komo Mai" mean? Would like to learn there native language as best as I can.

Thanks again for all the advice and kind words.

[slippyturtle]

"E Komo Mai" is basically a greeting that means, welcome.

I'm not sure how things work with a vehicle that's brought in from out of state as far as Safety Inspections go, but it's an annual inspection that every car has to have here and you'll end up having to deal with it sooner or later. The bigger issue is that the police will nab you for dark tint here faster than anything else, and they can fine you $287 PER TINTED WINDOW on your car. Depends on the officer, but I have seen it happen before. Just from personal experience, I've been pulled over for darker than legal tint more than anything else, and my friends in HPD say that's the first thing they look for. I went with Formula One Pinnacle 35% on this car and it's a relief not to have to worry about getting nailed for that anymore. You also run the chance of getting hassled and ticketed for not having a reconstruction permit on your car.

Assuming your car can be aligned within factory specification, you shouldn't have a problem passing the reconstruction inspection as long as you swap your OEM reflectors back in (I just swap mine in for inspections and swap them back out again) and replace your tint with something within legal limits (29-35%). Front clear UV windshield tint is now legal too in Hawaii. My car is similarly equipped and passed riding on KW coilovers with no problem.

[E90wolf]

from a former saftey inspector. you should be able to get a permit until your out of state reg and plates expires. From there you would need to register under Hawaii. I beleive its from the same place you get recon or our nearest satellite city hall here in hawaii.

[Route 16]

Mililani navy brat represent!

[E90wolf]

LOL.. right on... Ex Army CH-47 crew chief here.. OEF IV 2004.. 10th Mountain NY.. woot!

[F80_M3llow]

im missing those wheels lol car looks great man

[BLKJACK3D]

Yea man. I took the whip to Hawaii with me. I still love em. I almost traded them for some Volks Racing TE37's. But couldn't fork out the rest of the money. How do you like your wheels and hows the northeast? Cold? LOL

[F80_M3llow]

Originally Posted by BLKJACK3D

Yea man. I took the whip to Hawaii with me. I still love em. I almost traded them for some Volks Racing TE37's. But couldn't fork out the rest of the money. How do you like your wheels and hows the northeast? Cold? LOL

Still loving them wheels man. You lucky bastard i want to go to Hawaii. Im looking into some advans or volks depending on how much. but i still love my LC 818s. good luck with everything man

[Route 16]

How much was shipping the car and how long?

[BLKJACK3D]

Shipping was free being that I am in the military and they ship one car for free. But it did take 32 days. I've heard it can cost up to $1200 though.

[Shieldze1025]

Yo dude, I haven't been on here in a few months but I see your car every day! I work at NTSCP, I have a black M5 now so if you see me say what's up!