By Benjamin Finnerty (S), REALTOR® (RS-83812) with Keller Williams Realty Maui · Kīhei, Maui · 808-481-9748

Quick Answer: Moving to Maui means lining up three timelines around your closing date. Matson lists a standard vehicle from the mainland to Kahului at $2,600 (rates effective June 7, 2026), Pasha Hawaii serves Kahului directly with about 7 days of transit, and Hawaii’s pet import rules require at least 30 days between a passing FAVN test and arrival.

I’m Benjamin Finnerty, a REALTOR® in Kīhei with Keller Williams Realty Maui, and I work with a lot of buyers relocating from the mainland. The moment an offer is accepted, the escrow clock starts, and that’s usually when it sinks in: the car is 2,500 miles away across an ocean, the dog can’t just hop on a plane, and nobody knows how long any of it takes. The fix: treat your closing date as the anchor and work backward.

How much does it cost to ship a car to Maui?

Shipping to Maui costs more than shipping to Oahu. Matson’s published rates, effective June 7, 2026, list a standard vehicle from the mainland (Long Beach or Oakland) at:

Destination	Matson standard vehicle rate (effective June 7, 2026)
Honolulu	$1,790
Kahului (Maui)	$2,600

Nearly everyone ships through Matson or Pasha Hawaii. Fuel, port and tax charges can add to those figures, so get a current quote.

How long does car shipping to Kahului take?

It depends heavily on the carrier. Matson’s FAQ says shipments to Kahului move by barge from Honolulu, with total transit of roughly 33 to 45 days. Pasha’s FAQ says it serves Kahului directly on a bi-weekly schedule, with a transit time of about 7 days after the vessel departs.

Schedules change, so confirm current sailing dates when you book. But the gap is big enough that it’s worth comparing both before you commit.

What rules apply when shipping a car to Hawaii?

A few rules apply to both carriers and tend to catch people off guard:

• Your gas tank can hold no more than a quarter tank, a Coast Guard safety rule.
• No personal belongings inside the vehicle. Matson allows only a spare tire, jack, and up to two child car seats.
• Pasha’s drop-off appointments can only be scheduled about 30 days before the vessel sails, and the registered owner needs to be present or provide notarized authorization.
• Matson advises booking within a month of your planned move, and its booking numbers are valid for 90 days.

Even with good planning, there’s often a stretch where your car is at sea and you’re already on the island, so build some rental car or rideshare time into your budget.

How do I register an out-of-state car on Maui?

Maui County’s vehicle registration office asks for a specific set of documents for a vehicle brought in from out of state. Those include the application for registration, an odometer disclosure statement, and your bill of lading or shipping receipt showing the date the vehicle arrived on Maui.

You’ll also need a State of Hawaii Safety Inspection Certificate from an official inspection station, and you’ll bring your Hawaii motor vehicle insurance card to that inspection. Requirements can vary, so check the County’s New Vehicle Registration page before you go, and hold on to your shipping paperwork.

How early should I start pet paperwork for moving to Maui?

Start pets first, because they take the longest. Hawaii has strict rabies-related import rules, administered by the state Department of Agriculture’s Animal Industry Division, and the paperwork can require a couple of months of lead time.

For the popular “5-Day-Or-Less” and Direct Airport Release programs, your pet needs a passing rabies antibody (FAVN) test. The state requires at least 30 days between that test and arrival, and at least 30 days after the most recent rabies vaccination. Documents must be submitted 10 or more days before arrival.

Program	Fee per pet
5-Day-Or-Less	$244
Direct Airport Release (Honolulu), paperwork filed 10 or more days ahead	$185
Direct Airport Release (Honolulu), filed later	$244
Neighbor Island Inspection Permit (fly straight into Kahului)	$165

The Neighbor Island Inspection Permit requires at least 30 days’ advance notice and a reservation with an approved veterinary facility on the island. Check the Animal Industry Division’s current checklists before you book flights.

Should I ship my furniture to Maui or sell it?

For most moves, ship less than you think. One 2026 cost guide estimates around $6,700 for a 20-foot container and about $7,300 for a 40-foot container from the West Coast, with door-to-door service adding $1,500 to $4,000. Actual quotes vary widely by carrier, season and destination island, so treat those as ballpark numbers and get several quotes.

Longtime island residents often say the same thing: ship what you can’t live without (heirlooms, specialty tools, sentimental pieces) and sell bulky, inexpensive furniture on the mainland. New furniture is available on island, and you’ll save on shipping. If you’re buying in a condo building or an HOA community, ask about move-in rules and elevator reservations well before moving day. Some buildings limit move-in times.

What does a Maui moving timeline look like?

Every situation is different, but this is a useful framework:

• 90 days before closing: Start pet paperwork, get vaccinations and the FAVN test scheduled, and collect quotes from Matson, Pasha and movers.
• 60 days out: Decide what to ship and what to sell. Line up a lease-back or temporary housing if your closing date is not yet certain.
• 30 days out: Book your car once closing is confirmed. Reserve your Neighbor Island Inspection Permit if you’re using one.
• Two weeks out: Wash the car thoroughly (Hawaii inspects for soil and invasive species), drop it at the port with keys, and confirm your flight and pet arrival details.
• After arrival: Get your safety inspection, register the vehicle, and update your address.

My Take: What I’m Telling People Moving to Maui

Don’t book the car until your closing is firm. Once you’re past the inspection and financing contingencies, work backward. If your closing is October 30 and you want to drive your own car on day one, you’re looking at a mainland drop-off well before that, and the carrier you choose changes the answer by weeks.

Pets are the opposite: because of the 30-day windows and the 10-day filing rule, start the vet work as soon as you’re serious about a move.

Relocating to Maui is exciting, and it’s also a logistics project. The smoothest first months I see come from treating the closing date as the anchor and planning everything else around it. If your closing date might move, ask about a lease-back or short-term rental so a slipped date doesn’t strand your car or your pet. My guide to renting on Maui before you buy covers that option, and if you’re still deciding where to land, start with my guide to living in Kīhei.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to ship a car from the mainland to Maui?

Matson’s published rates, effective June 7, 2026, list a standard vehicle from Long Beach or Oakland at $2,600 to Kahului, compared with $1,790 to Honolulu. Fuel, port and tax charges can add to that.

Which carrier is faster to Kahului, Matson or Pasha?

Per each company’s FAQ, Matson’s Kahului shipments move by barge from Honolulu with total transit of roughly 33 to 45 days, while Pasha serves Kahului directly on a bi-weekly schedule with about 7 days of transit after departure. Confirm current schedules when you book.

How far ahead should I start my pet’s Hawaii paperwork?

Plan on a couple of months. The state requires at least 30 days between a passing FAVN test and arrival, at least 30 days after the most recent rabies vaccination, and documents submitted 10 or more days before arrival.

Ask Benjamin

If you’re thinking about a move to Maui, whether it’s this fall or a year from now, I’m glad to help you think through the whole picture, from neighborhoods and condo rules to a realistic closing timeline. I’m Benjamin Finnerty, and you can call or text me at 808-481-9748 or email benjamin@the808team.com any time.

Sources: Matson and Pasha Hawaii published rates and FAQs; County of Maui vehicle registration; Hawaii Department of Agriculture Animal Quarantine Station.