I’d like to plan a trip to the Big Island of Hawaii with my brother who has Cerebral Palsy. He uses a large manual wheelchair, and we have an adapted van at home. Do you know where I can find a wheelchair-accessible rental van on the Big Island for a week? I will do the driving, so hand controls are not necessary. Thanks for any information you can provide.

It sounds like you are planning a wonderful trip, as the Big Island is a beautiful place. It also doesn’t get as many tourists as more popular Honolulu. And yes, you can rent a wheelchair-accessible van on the Big Island.

Wheelers of Hawaii (wheelersofhawaii.com) rents out wheelchair-accessible vans on a daily basis, although cheaper rates are available for longer rentals. They offer Dodge or Toyota minivans with manual side ramps. The rental vans must be booked in advance, and they are available at Kona International Airport.

Alternatively, if you would like someone else to do the driving, and not have to rent a van for the full week, then check out the accessible services of Go Hawaii Transportation (www.bigislandlimousine.net/services/wheelchair-service). They can provide accessible ramped vans with a driver at both Hilo and Kona airports, as well as provide connections to anywhere on the Big Island.

In the end, you may want to do a combination of both private transportation and a wheelchair-accessible rental van on the Big Island. Have a great trip!