Car Rental Options - Kona

Question

We are traveling in March. We are looking for most convenient car rental at Kona airport. Do any of the car rental companies have a desk in the airport- or do they all require shuttles. My husband has circle club membership with Hertz so we are thinking using Hertz.Thanks!

Answer

If you’re flying into Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport (KOA) on the Big Island and want to rent a car — especially with your Hertz membership — here’s how it works and what to expect in terms of convenience, shuttle-service vs on-site desk, and what you might want to consider.

How car rental works at Kona (KOA) Airport

At KOA, car rental companies do not have their car lots directly inside the arrival terminal; all major rental providers maintain their baseyards off-terminal.
Once you land and collect your baggage, you exit the terminal and walk to the center median across the street from the baggage claim (near areas A & B). From there, a free shuttle bus will transport you to the car rental facility.
The shuttle runs continuously — so waiting times are usually short (every few minutes, depending on when you arrive).

Major rental companies available at KOA

There are many of the standard national car rental companies serving KOA, including but not limited to:

Hertz
Alamo
Avis
Budget
Dollar
Enterprise
National
Thrifty / Payless

So your preference for Hertz is accommodated — plus you’ll have other companies available as backup if needed.

What “desk in the airport” really means at KOA — and how that affects convenience

Technically, there is no large “car lot inside terminal” like at many major U.S. airports. Instead, the rental desk and vehicles are off-site, reachable only by shuttle.
From arrival → shuttle → rental lot typically takes only a few minutes; for most travelers with only carry-ons or quick baggage pickup, the process is often quite efficient.
If your flight arrives late, note that rental car hours vary by company — most open early morning and close around late evening. For example, many of the companies list hours like 5:00 AM to 10:30 PM or similar.
If you’re using a membership (like Hertz’s “Circle Club / Gold / President’s Club”-type status), the benefit may help speed things up — but from traveler reports, even members at KOA have had to line up at the counter rather than skip it entirely.

What this means for your March trip, given you are considering Hertz

Yes — you can rent with Hertz at KOA, and your membership will serve just like at other airports.
Expect to take a shuttle from the terminal to the rental lot regardless of Hertz membership; there is no in-terminal “drive-away” desk with vehicle right outside baggage claim.
The shuttle is part of the standard process and is typically quick — as little as a few minutes under normal conditions. This means you’ll still likely be out on the road within 10–15 minutes after arrival, assuming no long lines or delays.
If you arrive late at night or very early morning, double-check Hertz’s hours for that day to ensure your rental is open.

Other things to consider / possible trade-offs

Because the lot is off-airport, you will need to wait for and ride the shuttle — although most visitors find this to be quick and not a major hassle.
During peak travel times (holiday season, major conferences, popular vacation periods), there may be some wait time for shuttle or for rental counters — so arriving at baggage claim a bit earlier may help minimize wait.
If you prefer maximum convenience — e.g. walk out of terminal directly into your car — you will not get that at KOA. But the shuttle model is common across many Hawaiian airports and generally works smoothly.

Summary

Yes — you can absolutely use Hertz at Kona (KOA), and many travelers do. However, “airport car rental” there means the car lot is off-site with a shuttle; there isn’t an on-terminal “desk + car ready outside” like at some mainland airports. That said, the shuttle setup is standard, reliable, and quick, so in practical terms it remains a very convenient option.