Kauaʻi — The County of Kauaʻi has expanded appointment availability at its Kapaʻa Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office, allowing residents to schedule services up to one month in advance as the county works to restore operations following the Sept. 9 fire at the Kāpule Building in Līhuʻe.
The new booking calendar launched Wednesday, Nov. 4, coinciding with the reopening of the Kapaʻa DMV, and replaces the previous two-week scheduling window.
According to county officials, approximately 30 new appointments become available online each weekday at 4 a.m., with one additional day added to the calendar each weekday. No appointments are released on weekends or county holidays, including Veterans Day on Nov. 11.
Appointments for the next two weeks are already filled.
Before the fire, Kauaʻi’s DMV operated 16 service windows islandwide. The Kapaʻa office currently has just three workstations, limiting the number of residents who can be served.
County officials said DMV staff directly contacted more than 1,100 residents whose driver’s licenses expired during the closure and prioritized their appointments. Residents with valid licenses or permits are encouraged to delay booking until the backlog is reduced.
“Mahalo to our community for your continued patience and understanding as we work to restore these important services,” Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami said. “We know this has created challenges for many of our residents, and our team is working hard to serve the community with the limited capacity we have available.”
The county plans to add additional workstations at the Kapaʻa office to increase appointment availability. Meanwhile, preparations continue for a temporary DMV location at the Gather space in Līhuʻe, although an opening date has not been announced.
West Kauaʻi residents who need to renew vehicle registrations can continue using online services or self-service kiosks, including one at Western Motors in Hanapēpē. The county is temporarily covering the $2.50 online convenience fee, although payment processing fees still apply.
Appointments can be scheduled at www.kauai.gov/DMV. Residents unable to secure an appointment are encouraged to check again the following weekday.
For additional information, contact the DMV at (808) 241-4242 or kauaidmv@kauai.gov.
Source: County of Kauaʻi, Nov. 4, 2026.