Hawaiçi vehicle sales fell by almost one-third during the first six months of this year, according to the latest figures from the Hawaii Automobile Dealers Association.
HADA, quoting data from Mainland-based AutoCount, said there were 16,327 new cars and light trucks registered in the state through June, or about 31.5 percent less than the 23,839 sold during the same period a year prior.

Vehicle sales fell the most on the Maui, where the count was down about 46 percent to 1,490.
The Big Island’s sales were off 41 percent to 1,799.
Kauaçi’s new registrations totaled 721, or 35 percent down from the first six months of 2008.
Oçahu’s car business fared the best of all the counties with only a 27 percent decline. Dealers in Honolulu sold 12,317 vehicles compared with 16,917 a year earlier.
HADA’s Hawaii Auto Outlook report said there are encouraging signs for a rebound and projected an increase in sales next year.
“Pent-up demand will be reaching unprecedented levels as new vehicle sales remain well below trend for perhaps as long as five years,” the report said.
“We think this will lead the market to record-high new vehicle sales totals within the next five to 10 years.”