Trying to locate somewhere to park my rental car overnight

Question

I'm trying to locate free or inexpensive car parking for my rental car near the cruise port in Lihue/Nawilwili. Any tips?

Answer

Good question. Parking overnight near the Nawiliwili (Līhuʻe) cruise port can be tricky — there’s no guaranteed free, dedicated lot just for cruise-ship rental cars. But there *are* a few commonly cited options (and risks) based on recent cruiser and traveler reports. Here’s a detailed breakdown, plus some tips.

Common Parking Options Near Nawiliwili / Līhuʻe Port

Street Parking on Wilcox Road / Near Nawiliwili Park — Several travelers say there’s free on-street parking along Wilcox Rd, on the makai side (toward the ocean), near the park adjacent to the harbor.
- Pros: Free, walking distance to the port.
- Cons: Spots are limited, first-come-first-served, and overnight parking legality may be unclear, so you’re relying on local tolerance. Some trip-reporters caution about parking in “private” areas or in places where locals have reported illegal parking.
Anchor Cove Shopping Center Lot — There is a paid lot: cruisers report a $20 overnight parking pass sold at the Anchor Cove Shopping Center (Rice Street) near the port.
- The lot provides a shuttle to/from the pier (reported as running roughly 8:30 am–9:00 pm by some cruisers).
- Cons: You’ll need to locate where and when to pay for the pass, and whether shuttle hours align with your ship schedule.
Fenced Port / Harbor Area — According to some (older) cruise-forum posts, there used to be a “fenced-in” area in the port where rental cars could be left for free. However, others say the number of spots was limited or that the arrangement is not always guaranteed.
Līhuʻe Airport Parking — As a fallback, some people recommend parking at Līhuʻe Airport (LIH) and then using a shuttle or ride-share to/from the cruise port.
- Pros: More secure, less risk of towing or tickets, lots likely to be monitored.
- Cons: Cost (airport parking fees), and the hassle of transport from airport to ship.

Risks & Things to Watch Out For

Some street-parking spaces are reported to be “tight” or in mixed-use areas, so finding a safe spot may depend heavily on timing and how crowded things are when you arrive.
Illegal parking does come up in some trip-reporter complaints — for example, people have noted employees complaining about cruisers taking up lot space not meant for cruise parking.
The Anchor Cove lot shuttle may not run all night, depending on the given schedule; make sure to confirm when the shuttle service operates for your ship’s docking times.
Using airport parking means leaving your car a little farther away — and transporting yourself to the ship can take extra time or require paying for a ride.

Recommendations / Tips

When you pick up your rental car (at the airport), ask the rental agent specifically for their recommended or known overnight parking spots for the Nawiliwili Port — they may have up-to-date local knowledge.
If going the Anchor Cove paid lot route: arrive early in the evening to secure a spot, buy the overnight pass, and confirm shuttle details.
For street parking, do a quick drive-by before the ship docks to scope out available legal spots. Double-check signage for any parking restrictions or time limits.
If leaving the car at Līhuʻe Airport, plan your shuttle or ride-share ahead of time: know pickup/drop-off spots and expected wait times, especially at night.
Remove any valuables from the car and lock it — overnight street parking has more risk, and visibility might be lower at night.

Bottom Line

Yes, there are some options for overnight parking near the Nawiliwili cruise port in Līhuʻe, but none are guaranteed perfect every time — free street parking exists, but is limited and somewhat risky; the paid Anchor Cove lot is more reliable but requires planning. If security and peace of mind are priorities, airport parking might be your best bet, even with the added step of a shuttle or ride.

Trying to locate somewhere to park my rental car overnight

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