Harding Service

Need a safety check done when you realize it’s the 3^rd and your inspection sticker expired on the 31^st? I drive by this place on the way home almost every day and never thought about getting my car safety checked. I called ahead and they were direct about what time their inspector was heading home and said come by with no appointment and I was in and out in less than 30 minutes. Pretty quick, in my opinion, yet thorough. They take debit or credit card and the waiting area is just outside of where you can watch them inspect your car. I’ll come back with my other car when it’s time!

These guys have saved me many times. (1) I had been driving on Waialae when they were doing the roadwork and turned makai on Koko Head. All of a sudden I hear this terrible sound coming from the right wheel and it is not responding well to braking. I limp it over to Harding’s, they say it’s probably a little rock in the brake drum. I leave it overnight, the next day it’s fixed. I believe it was about $ 100. (2) Tire was low, drove there and they checked all the tires and filled them. $ 2, took 5 minutes. When I came out from work 8 hours later, it was low again. Went back, they found the tire valve was leaking and needed to be replaced. Charged $ 3, took 10 minutes. (3) Another tire was low. They said it was a tire valve and replaced for $ 3, took 5 minutes. (4) Pacific Honda told me I needed 4 new tires to pass safety check (in a few months’ time). I took it to Hardings and just asked if they could eyeball it and tell me if I needed new tires. They said no. Later took it to them for the safety check and passed. I have taken in for safety checks twice and never had a problem or long wait.

I came in without an appointment just hoping to see if anyone could help me. I’m having problems with my radiator fan. They came out with all kinds of diagnostic equipment and told me it was an electrical problem and that they couldn’t help me. I thanked them for the diagnosis and asked them how much. They told me no charge since they couldn’t help me with my problem. I have come here before for safety inspections and light bulb replacements here and there and never had a problem. They are sticklers for detail. If you know that going in you should have no problem. I still don’t know why that old man always puts my paperwork in a zip lock bag.

I just moved from the Big Island to O’ahu and I was looking for a service station to do my safety check. I called ahead of time to see if Hardings had any openings today and they said to come on by after 10am.
Once I got to Hardings, they had everybody lined up so that the other pumps were still usable by other customers. Everybody working there was extremely kind and gave a run down of what would happen. They were fast, professional, and all around very friendly.
I saw that a few people who wrote up Unilocal reviews were grumbling about the appointment times being between 10AM and 4PM. One of the workers explained that the original safety inspector was no longer working there and that they had temporary inspector for the time being since it is the first week of the month. I know that the times might be an inconvenience for some but really, they’re doing the best they can.

Location grants them 2 stars vs 1, and that they are polite.
My biggest laugh is how when I went last year to get my safety check done, and because I didn’t have a bunch of spare time, they got me. They charged me $ 25 to replace a 99 cent bulb by my license plate. The reason I know this is, within one month, the bulb went out again. I went to napa and was charged 99 cents. It took me ummm about 2 minutes to replace the bulb and 1:30 seconds was spend finding a Philips screw driver.
I tried them a second time and this is what I was told. «Sorry but you need to wait with your car (mind you it’s crazy hot out) for 45 min, before we can tell you if we can do the safety check today or not.» I think the better way to say it is, sorry we are too slammed today. They won’t let you leave your car and come back. They also blamed the DOT, because it takes them 3 guys to do the check. Really, they should go watch a 5 yr old use an iPad it’s not that bad.
Yes, good smile and nice apology, but a half maybe try wait a long time is worse than a sorry can’t do it today.

Do not come here for a safety inspection go somewhere else. That is the only reason im giving bad review i dont know about the repair side. Not friendly people either it really seems like you are bothering them. Shell on ward is much easier and quicker or aina haina 76 but call first cuz sometimes they close early.

I came here around 8am hoping to get my safety check done before I had to head to work, but I was told that safety checks didn’t start until 10am. No problem. I’ll come back later. I came back at 9:45am and I was handed a piece of paper.
He began to tell me that they’re really busy and can’t take me right now and that I should read the paper. He seemed a little stressed out. I asked if I could just wait but, again, I was told they couldn’t take me right away and I should just read the paper.
I wasn’t too upset. I ended up driving to the Aina Haina 76 and was out of there in 7 minutes. I’m not too sure when Harding Services changed their safety check policies, but I remember that my last safety check here took around 40 minutes with two cars in front of me. It was in the late afternoon, however, and I did appreciate being able to get a safety check after work.
The paper is thorough and names a few other stations in the area that give safety checks. Too bad this station is so busy! I like the location.

Unbelievably rude.
I’m third in line to get my safety check. It’s 940am and checks start at 10. I’m ok to wait.
The first person, elderly man gets done by 945
The second person, elderly woman, gets done by 955.
When the 2^nd person pulled up in line I got into my car and pulled it up so there wasn’t a big gap. It’s a small station in a congested area … I thought I was being nice! The old guy freaked out telling me I was messing up his system and jamming them up. (I think he just wanted space between the vehicles… But I had still left a solid 8 feet for him to work)
He proceeds to tell me to stop doing anything until he instructs me to do so. Speaking to me condescendingly as though I’m a teenager.
The person in front of me finishes and leaves. I stay put. He comes to tell me they are not yet open for safety inspections and walks inside… It’s 10:15…
His daughter tells me he is in the bathroom and moves my car up. She takes my paperwork and tells me they don’t need the prior safety inspection sheet.
He comes back then asks me for the old safety sheet. Grrr
He has me get in and out of the car several times for no apparent reason. Then, He gets in, turns on my car… A hybrid… Then gets out and tells me to get in and turn on my car. I tell him it’s already on and he tells me «don’t keep turning it off…» Really? I finally explain that it’s an electric motor, which he looks baffled at.
We go through the regular drill. Lights, blinkers, etc.
The gas motor turns on partway through the inspection and he says… «Just leave your motor on, stop turning it off». Ugh.
He finally tells me to move up.
Then he asks me to turn my wheels as I’m moving up. It was weird because there was nothing in front of me and I couldn’t see why he needed me to turn my wheels. I did it…
When I get out to pay he tells me he needed to explain to me how to drive because I was going to hit the car parked to the side of me. It was 3 feet away.
He handed me my receipt and walked away. No thank you, no nothing.
I don’t know what I did to aggravate this guy but in a SERVICE INDUSTRY… Hello… SERVICE STATION… I got the sense that anyone who looked under the age of 40 was treated like a child. By the way… The elderly man who came after me… Moved his car to within 2 feet of me and got no «spanking».
I was incredibly insulted by this man. I will NEVER EVER EVER go here again.

I had such a hard time finding a station to do a safety inspection with out being rude and saying I would have to wait two hours or come back with an appointment. These guys rocked! And that gave me a hot Manapua while I waited! They were sweet and attentive! I’ll be back forever!

I just don’t like the attitudes of the guy who wears the safety googles and the older Japanese man. The older japanese man told me in a matter of fact manner that I needed to change my wiper blades in order to get a safety inspection passed. They give you the impression that none of this is up for discussion and you replace it or no pass. I had the feeling right away that these guys are a rude, gas station rip off and they just don’t care how they come across. I lived in Kaimuki all my life and I knew lots of guys who worked at this station before the current owner so show some respect and appreciation for your customers. Another time I needed a battery changed and they charged an high amount to just to pull out the old battery and replace it. I could’ve done that myself, but they never told me how much they would charge just to replace the old battery. They never even told me they would charge for the labor. It should be free– it takes about a minute. What a rip. If you want, sincere, honest service go to Kaimuki Auto Repair, the Shell station on Waialae Avenue instead. Way better service, sincere and honest not like Harding Service. I always drive by this place and never fill in gas because of their lame attitudes.

Ok local neighborhood gas station been around a long time in kaimuki.
Parents used to go there to fill gas regularly. Once on the suggestion of one of the attendents, suggested that a service be done, so older parents went with service not knowing better, notified me of service (timing belt change) when I came home, checked receipt and work, (ok).fast foward a couple years (mind you that parents don’t drive far or often) and same service preformed again.Hummm.ok from that time on I mentioned that if they suggest any repairs to notify me
to sum it up these guys have no concience what so ever to prey on senior’s who were regular customers !!

When my safety inspection started, I should have known right away there would be issues. The person handling the inspection spent the first five minutes complaining about his previous customer. I found this unprofessional, but attempted to play along in order to receive good service myself. This tactic did not work.
Harding Service was the second of three places I attempted to get my safety inspection completed. This was also the second of three places where I was told a different reason for the failure. Additionally, the previous reasons I was told it would fail at other safety inspection locations was not mentioned at this establishment. As someone new to the safety inspection process, it would have been nice to be treated fairly, with respect and educated on the process. Instead when I reasonably questioned the particular reason I was being failed for, the person handling the safety inspection became belligerent and started shouting at me.
I’m not certain how this place handles auto repairs, but based on the service I received during my inspection, I will not be coming here for my repairs.

I’ve been here a total of four times across three years for a variety of reasons. I really hoped to support a family operated business, but was disappointed that every time I came here I received incredibly poor service.
During my last visit I went in for a safety check for an old vehicle that I used to drive. It’s really beat up, & not attractive at all but it still drives decently. The older gentleman informed me that if the vehicle doesn’t pass the test for whatever reason I am still responsible for paying the fee for the safety check. I’ve been told this at other auto shops, so I consented stating that I understand. He proceeded to ask me very sternly & coldly five more times, almost as though he wanted me to change my mind about getting my car checked. My car passed the safety check, but I will never return again, nor do I recommend this establishment to anyone. There are too many options out there to simply settle for mediocre service.
Two stars because despite the altercations, I left this place with whatever job I needed on my car completed.

WORST SERVICE EVER!!! Went to get a safety check and asked the guy nicely if he could remove the old one and put the new one on the bracket I installed — he tells me I have to remove the old sticker myself before he can put my new one on the bracket… WTF?!? Is it really that hard to help a girl out and removed it for me… geesh…
Will never go back there again!!! And suggest that no one else should go there either!!!

DONT GO HERE! Horrible experience trying to get our safety inspection done! This place is unprofessional, rude, and if your not from Hawaii they heckle you for every little thing even though the law clearly states otherwise. They make there own rules for passing safety inspections! They argue with there customers and are very nasty! The guy argued with me over a small sticker of the islands on my back window. After showing him proof strait from the dmv website this was ok he continued to argue then argued with me about my military sticker are you kidding me? Read the laws business owner you don’t get to make your own laws in Hawaii!

Called them this afternoon to see if it was possible to get a Safety Check done today, the guy on the phone said come on down, I was there in 10 minutes and the first guy started on the paperwork while the other guy ran through the inspection. I was done in less than 10 minutes. If they gave this kind of service for a Safety Check which is no $$ for them can you imagine the service they would provide for a paying job! My hats off to them! If anyone needs any auto repair done in town I think you won’t be disappointed!
Thanks again guys it was a very pleasant experience.
Ian M.

Since my vehicle safety check had totally slipped my mind, I contacted these guys last minute and they couldn’t have been more efficient. Here’s some quick tips if you go here.
–call first to confirm they are doing safety checks before heading over
–they will greatly appreciate it if you have your paperwork in order (registration, original proof of insurance, etc.) before you arrive
–as far as the safety checks, it is the «first come, first serve» type of approach; just check in with one of the employees when you arrive and they will provide instructions

Where do I start! I went there today for a safety inspections. I had a new safety plate/​bracket on my car and as soon as the guy started the inspection, I kindly asked him to place the new sticker on the nice new bracket at the bottom of the bumper. Three (3) minutes before he placed the sticker, I reminded him again about the bracket. He told me it was finished. I walk around to the truck and guess what… the sticker is on my freaking bumper!!! ARE YOU SERIOUS I SCREAMED!!! The guy didn’t apologize or anything. Just told me not to remove it as it will break into pieces once I try to peel it off and relocate it. Wouldn’t even give me another sticker or fix the blatant mistake after I asked! So pissed! Will never go back here again!!! Please avoid this place!
Only good thing is that it took all of 20 mins.

A quick safety check and a windshield wiper replacement took all about 20 minutes!
Hooray, Yukio!

Ran in with a slow leak in my tire… Yukio quickly found the nail & had my tire patched up in a jiffy !
Awesome ;)