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hawaiiboy
08-27-2005, 03:10 PM
Here's a little bit of info on what Hawaii is doing to kind of "help" out the car enthusiast's in the islands.

"Some info from the HSB(newspaper)... The phone numbers might be old.

The Motor Vehicle Control Station AKA Recon Station is open M-F from 1:00 to 3:15 p.m. week days at the Motor Vehicle Control Section Recon Station, at 1112 Kapahulu Ave. under the H-1 across from Foodland. Permits are $15. For more info or questions Call 733-2542. They are very busy though, so dont be a dick. It wont help.

Copies of Hawaii Recon rules are available for $1.25 at the Department of Transportation's Motor Vehicle Safety Office at Dillingham Plaza, 1505 Dillingham Boulevard, room 214. Call 832-5825. There used to be an online version but I cant find it.

For those who want to get recon....

You basically wait in line (sometimes earlier than 1pm if you want to get inspected) w/your car. Try to bring something to entertain yourself for the wait in line.

They will THOROUGHLY check your car's engine bay, exhaust and suspension and a few things in the cabin (pedals, VIN, etc.) It is a REAL safety check. They will make sure your car is safe to be operated, meaning you cant have iffy visible problems in the above categories (hanging parts, exposed/chafing wires, unsecured items, anything unsafe). You will need recon if you change your Rim size 2" above stock, modify your suspension, swap your engine, or modify your exhaust. Try to make everything other than what you are modifying as stock as possible. Then you wont have to come back later.

You will need:
-Current Safety Check/Registration/Visible VIN #'s
-Affadavits or notorization for aftermarket parts (rims, exhaust, suspension). You can purchase one from a parts shop for around $20-30 depending on if you purchased it there or not.
-Current Alignment Papers stating that your car is within one degree of stock specs. You may need a camber kit if you cant get it within specs. Dont even try if you have too much camber or toe in...
-$15 Cash or Check. No change is given. If you fail, you have 90 days to fix the problem and return for inspection without charge.

The hard part:
-Tint must be around 35%
-Tires MUST be within the fender well
-Alignment (see above)
-2" of "play" (freedom) between tire and fenderwell
-12" to license plate 22" to headlights
-ALL stock lights... Dont even try...

There are alot of other things to worry about but these are pretty common. If you dont pass, dont be a bitch about it. Like I said earlier, it wont help. Until the state changes this stupid law, those of you who can, should try to get recon. $15 for a recon permit is alot better than $77+ for a recon ticket... (or whatever)"



Recon stands for "reconstruction". Basically, when you want to modify your car, you take it down to the recon station for inspection. If it falls in line with whatever standards they have set for that particular modification, then you're set to go. They will issue a "recon" sticker for you to display on your car. When cops see your sticker, they can visually see that you are in compliance with the law and won't harass you for your exhuast, tint, etc......

I'm sure there are flaws in the system and there are some that abuse the system(get "recon" for one thing and then add a whole bunch of mods without going back to get it inspected) But it's start/move towards helping those that are interested in modding their cars. Maybe California can start something similar but improving on what has already been done in other states.

Thanks for looking.

lolita18
06-10-2009, 10:51 PM
Thank you for that post about the law of Hawaii Recon.



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