Hickam Auto Skills Center

Many of the «employees» are only there to hook up their buddies and screw everyone else – if you like your car, save your money and get inspected off base. They’ll fail you for trying to protect your paint. I don’t know what circus these clowns escaped from, but you shouldn’t let them touch your car if you value it at all.

Awesome place to take your vehicle to get anything done! My safety inspection was only $ 17 and it literary took them only 5 – 10 min to finish. Very efficient and friendly stuff. Will be taking my second car next month!

Had my vehicle safety inspection renewed yesterday. Same day service with no appointment; no long line waiting or hassles. Awesome customer service. Thank you folks and until next time.

Went here to get my safety check and If I’m not mistaken they’re open on Saturdays which is a big plus so you do not have to take off a day from work to get your safety done. There was no line at the time I went so I was in and out. Bathrooms and vending machines available.

This review is based solely on my most recent experience there. If there was an option for 6 stars, I would give them 6 stars mainly because I received outstanding customer service from both Jason and Joe. Together they both went above and beyond to help me out.
My car needed to have the brake pads and rotors replaced. Amazingly I had time so decided to do this on my own, eventhough I have never change brakes before.
For projects like this, you can rent out a stall for a nominal fee of $ 3 per hour. Reservations are not required and based on availability at that time. All the tools are provided by shop. If you are mechanically inclined, the techs will walk you through the process.
Since this was my first time, Jason and Joe were very patient in teaching me; break class 101… lol. Thanks Jason and Joe for your superior customer service. I would definitely recommend and repeat.

I went here for a safety inspection, but couldn’t get my repairs completed without an appt. I made an appointment elsewhere and it ended up being more extensive (2 more trips for diagnostic then repair). I came back to get the safety inspection approved, and the inspector said «the guy didn’t see it before, but your jeep has a slight body lift… it’s only about an inch, but you have to go to the recon center downtown, the only one on island.» Not only was this my 4^th time to fix this prob, but since they didn’t catch it the first time, it added another trip. I talked to the shop that did the inspection for the previous owner, and they said they would not have made me go downtown. The recon center was booked for 2 months. I had to call daily for cancellations. When I finally got in, they said I’d fail right away b/​c any body lifts require mud flaps. If I had been told this before, I could have saved yet another trip; however, now, I either have to get my jeep’s body lift of 1 inch taken out, or go buy and install mud flaps and try to get another appointment at recon before I go BACK to the Auto skills center to get the safety inspection approved. Needless to say, I’m not going to use them again!

Incompetent mechanics.
I made an appointment for my 4runner to get looked at because it had a terrible vibration when driving certain speeds. The mechanic on the phone said to bring it in and they’ll definitely have a look. I brought it in during my appointment time and after filling out all the paperwork, some guy in the back said they don’t do work on aftermarket parts. He said because I had a lift on my 4runner that they wouldn’t check it and I had to take it to the dealership to look at it. The only problem is I don’t have a lift. It has an airbag suspension in the rear that came on the vehicle as an option direct from the manufacturer. It was a FACTORY product… So they didn’t even take the time to look at it as they said the vibration was from the rear being «too high». I mentioned this when I was talking to the cashier guy and he said they don’t want to look at it, I have to take it to a dealership. They didn’t even step out of their shop, they just looked through the bay doors, seen the car and turned me away. Worst customer service I’ve ever dealt with and no way to run a business even if it is on a military base.

This place used to be so good. Now the last few times I’ve been there it’s been just bad. They have a policy now where their techs will not do any work on any car that has any modifications. So because the struts on my car are not factory parts, they refused to read a diagnostic code for my check engine light. This time they turned me away because they say they have no appointments available for the next week… There’s only two other customers in the whole center right now. Terrible customer service.
I won’t be going back here

Directions on iPhone map may lead you to a restricted area. Coming from the main gate, get on the Kuntz Ave. ramp, go straight down, pass the bowling alley, make a right onto Halehaka and once you get to a fork, make a left (running track on your right), go straight down, once you see the «no outlet» sign, the Auto center is to your right. Enter through auto parts door.
If you’re going in for a safety inspection, bring proof of insurance, vehicle registration, and $ 17 cash or credit, no check.
Friendly, fast service. Closed on Mondays. Safety check available from 0700 to 1445 on a walk in basis.

Great place to get your safety check. They are properly staffed; not like those other small mom an pop service stations with only one inspector. The technichians understand how to get customers thru quickly. Great service!

If I could give them negative stars I would. I am absolutely livid!!! When we moved to the island I had my car inspected and it passed with the airbag light on. (It’s been on for 3 years) and now I took off time from work to get it inspected and it failed. So now I have an appointment with the dealership for $ 130 just to inspect it and turn off the light. Fortunately though the Honda is reinspecting it for free.
The attitude I had from the two employees here were rude. And surprisingly enough I kept my calm demeanor and didn’t get rude back.
Ice comment is filled out and I will never go back. They can keep my inspection fee. It’s worth not going back.

The mechanics at Hickam ASC are the best I’ve ever worked with. Their labor prices are low ($ 60/​hr), helped by some base subsidies, which can save you a lot of money quickly considering most other brand name shops charge $ 110 — $ 130 around here. More importantly, they are honest guys who do not try to swindle you into buying extraneous services. They quote fair prices, do swift work, and so far their work on my Jeep has been very good. Even more astounding — they told me that I could complete a simple repair on my engine (replace a sensor with a few screws) on my own in about ten minutes, and save myself some money. Integrity, low prices, quality work — can’t ask for much more from a mechanic. Minor downsides to this place include the necessity of making reservations about a week in advance, the shop being closed on Sundays and Mondays, and their inability to work on transmissions or electrical systems. Overall, very highly recommended to anyone with a military ID and a car without tranny issues.

Safety inspection was quick but the price is up to $ 17 now. The staff here is usually very courteous and the price to rent a bay to work on your car is very reasonable ($ 2/​hour). I was frustrated that they no longer accept used motor oil for recycling.

Used the skill center for the first time yesterday to change my breaks. It was a great expereince. Very helpful staff and nice facility. I even had the wrong breaks and they ordered me some new ones. I had to pay their mark up, but it was worth it to get my car fixed and out the door. I would definately use this place again.

Always friendly and helpful. I have an old 911 that I started doing some basic service on. One of the mechanics, Tom, has rebuilt a few 911s over time and is always helpful. Keeps me from making and costly mistakes.
They get you in and out for the vehicle inspection quickly and seem to run a clean and friendly place.

I used bought a used car and had to fully service it. The shop had all the equipment, tools and knowledge for all the help I needed. 3 dollars an hour for a lift is a lot cheaper than doing service at the dealership. I continue to go there for all my car problems.

I had heard some nightmares about getting your car inspected in Hawaii and some shops finding things wrong with your car in order to make a dollar. Despite this shop being located on the base I had heard of some horror stories about some other places out and about on base finding things «wrong» to make a buck or two.
I went in knowing my car was a-​okay since we had literally had it serviced a few days prior to having it shipped, but I was even more pleased when moments after taking my car to inspect it the mechanic told me I was good to go pending registration.
After taking my car to register it, they helped me complete my safety inspection and wrangle my plates on my vehicle.
OH and you cannot beat the price $ 13.50!
Thank you so much!!!

Dang, Jesse G. beat me to writing a first on this place.
What a secret. This place is the only spot that offers repairs. I won’t holler about how inexpensive it is, you’ll need a military id to get here and get work done.
I got my safety inspection here and various automotive repairs. For the repairs you have to schedule an appointment but they are cool enough to let you park your car and turn in your keys the night or two before so you don’t have to hassle in the morning.
They provide good service. The attendants are young 20 something year old dudes who aren’t stuck up at all. I’m comparing them to other military auto hobbies I’ve been in. There are other gear heads there and some have pretty sick rides.
They aren’t there to rip you off. Also, the gas station near there is the only place where you can lock the nozzle. Yes, it matters to me. I’m lazy.

The coolest place to be for the gear heads.
of all the hobby shops on the island, this one is hands down the cleanest and most professional in Hawaii.
–with self service bays for the do-​it-​yourselfers they have just about every tool you need for your repair or project. available in flat bays and 2 posts lifts.
–the ONLY hobby shop on island that does automotive repair
–safety inspection station
–parts store
–A/​C service
–tire service
–a knowledgeable staff full of gear heads.
–body shop and paintbooths
–outside storage for longterm projects
–towing services
–they even have sheds available for rent if you’re strapped for space around the house
–they also have bicycle repair.
overall experience, you just feel right at home when you come in to work on your car, the staff has a very large variety of tasteful music in soo many genres. they are very helpful and knowledgeable about automotives whether it be basic repair/​maintenance or building/​modifying. these guys really do share the same passion as the enthusiasts that go to this shop. In this shop, you are amongst friends. and as for auto repair, they are fast, and the MOST inexpensive i have ever seen. your average auto repair shop will charge between $ 90-​$ 140/​hr for service. not here, at the hobby shop they only charge $ 50/​hour and won’t recommend repairs that you do not need. honest and to the point. i like that in a business. open 7-​days a week except holidays