North Shore and Big Wave Surfing. Tom Selleck as Magnum P.I. racing Higgins’ red Ferrari. Hawaii Five-O and Book’em Dan-o. Volcanoes and Lava. Hula Dancers and Tiki Charms. Leis and hibiscus flower print shirts. Pearl Harbor. These are all commonly associated with Hawaii.
The term “hot rod” is more likely to send your mind to a quarter-mile drag strip, a burger joint, or even an old drive-in movie theater before landing on that exotic island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean where Elvis filmed all those movies with a Ukulele. But maybe the term should be higher on the list as the hot rod scene in and around Honolulu, Hawaii is alive and well.
Hot rodders, street rodders, and classic automobile fanatics meet on a monthly basis at cruise-ins put together by Hawaii Independent Cruise Nights. The event rotates between different locations around the island. Events are held Saturday evenings at 6 p.m. and last about four hours.
The rods in Hawaii definitely have their own style just like any other region in the country. Influences from transplanted mainlanders and native islanders mix with each other through an assortment of traditional style hot rods and street rods along with some power potent muscle cars and classic cruisers.
The Hawaii Independent Cruise Nights cruise-in at Long John Silver’s in Mililani Town, Hawaii on July 25, 2009 was represented well, even as threatening skies may have kept some away. A big Mahalo nui loa to Anthony who sent Carsolina these shots from that evening. Next time you hear “Hawaii”, think “Hot Rod”. Aloha.
Really glad to see these photos made it to the site. Love the write-up on this event! Thanks for everything you’re doing for classic car enthusiasts! Keep up the good work.