KAPAʻA – The County of Kauaʻi Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will resume in-person services Wednesday, Nov. 4, at its Kapaʻa office, nearly two months after a fire at the Kapule Building in Līhuʻe disrupted DMV operations islandwide.
Appointments will become available for booking Monday, Nov. 2, through the county’s official DMV website.
The Kapaʻa office will offer a full range of DMV services, but capacity will be limited and appointments will be required for all transactions. Walk-in services and designated kūpuna hours will not be available.
For West Kauaʻi residents, the reopening means traveling to Kapaʻa for transactions requiring an in-person visit.
The county is preparing an additional temporary DMV location at the Gather space in Līhuʻe, although an opening date has not been announced.
According to county officials, initial appointments are expected to fill quickly as residents whose driver’s licenses, state identification cards and other credentials expired during the closure seek assistance.
Services resuming Nov. 4 include driver’s license and state ID issuance, motor vehicle registration and title transactions, permit and road testing, commercial driver’s license renewals, disability parking placards, taxi permits, and dealer and bank transactions.
Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami acknowledged the difficulties residents have experienced since the Sept. 9 fire, particularly working families, kūpuna and local businesses.
“Our first priority is helping people whose licenses and IDs expired get back on the road legally,” Kawakami said.
Options for West Kauaʻi Residents
Residents who only need to renew their vehicle registration may continue using the self-service kiosk at Western Motors in Hanapēpē, avoiding the need to travel to Kapaʻa.
Registration renewals are also available through the state’s online renewal portal.
The county is temporarily covering the $2.50 convenience fee for online vehicle registration renewals, although credit card and electronic check processing fees still apply.
Residents needing an exact duplicate of an existing driver’s license may request one through the City and County of Honolulu’s online DMV portal. Changes to names, addresses or other personal information cannot be processed through that service.
The county encourages residents to use online services or kiosks whenever possible to preserve appointments for those requiring in-person assistance.
Credit cards, cash and checks will be accepted at the Kapaʻa office, although officials encourage customers to bring cash or checks because of limited credit card payment stations.
The Kapaʻa office will not process utility payments or sell landfill tipping coupons or Kauaʻi Bus passes.
Residents can book appointments beginning Nov. 2 at www.kauai.gov/DMV.
For additional information or assistance preparing for an appointment, contact the Kauaʻi DMV at 808-241-1949 or kauaidmv@kauai.gov.
Source: County of Kauaʻi Department of Finance, official news release issued Oct. 28, 2026.