The friction layer on a brake pad is made of a compound of ceramic, semi-metallic, or organic materials bonded by resin: designed to generate traction and stopping power. But every time you use a pad, this friction layer wears down a little more, causing brake pads to wear down faster than rotors, calipers, or any other braking component. Let’s look at the expected usual lifespan of a brake pad and when you should visit your Honda dealer for replacements. 

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With its location in the center of the Pacific Ocean, Waipahu, HI has long attracted visitors from Asia. Many of these settle here, bringing their national cuisines with them, and now the city is home to a vast amount of delicious Asian food, particularly Chinese. If you’re out in town this weekend and are looking for the best Chinese restaurants in the area, then here are a few of our favorite places that we recommend you try out.

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Waipahu, HI, has no shortage of spots to shop. If you love shopping as much as we do, don’t miss our four favorite destinations.

Drive on Over to These 4 Shopping Spots Near Waipahu, HI

1. Waikele Center 

This dining and retail location is one of the largest open-air malls in the Oahu metro area. You’ll find popular clothing stores, cosmetics, groceries, medical and dental offices, real estate agents, and other products and services. While you’re here, you can grab a meal at the food court with a range of choices that includes Korean barbecue, shaved ice, sushi, authentic Hawaiian cuisine, and fast food.
Waikele Center also hosts community events and entertainment. It’s located at Interstate H-1 and Paiwa Street in Waipahu, open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. during the week, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday.

2. Waipahu Festival Marketplace

Visit this indoor farmers market and bazaar if you want a one-stop shop for everything from home goods and cosmetics to fresh produce, meat, and seafood. You can even have fish cleaned while you wait. Waipahu Festival Marketplace also has a travel agent and an optical shop. You can bring home cookies, pies, and sweets from the bakery alongside odds and ends from the variety store.
Waipahu Festival Marketplace is open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. from Monday through Saturday and 7 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Sunday. It’s located at 94-340 Waipahu Depot Street in Waipahu.

3. Pearl Highlands Center

This popular mall features a variety of well-known retail shops selling musical instruments, clothing, home furnishings, electronics, cosmetics, and groceries. You’ll also find salon services, dental care, a gym, and a movie theater, so you could even make a full day of your visit to Pearl Highlands Center.
The mall is located at 1000 Kamehameha Highway in Pearl City, less than 3 miles from Waipahu. It’s open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

4. Waikele Premium Outlets

Outlet malls commonly have the best bargains, and this spot is no exception. Waikele Premium Outlets stands out for its selection of high-end brands. We recommend heading here for shoes, special occasion wear, handbags, jewelry, sunglasses, fragrances, cosmetics, and gifts. This mall also has lots of great spots to eat, including Thai, Mexican, and Korean restaurants along with ice cream and sandwich eateries.
Waikele Premium Outlets are open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. They’re located at 94-749 Lumiaina Street in Waipahu.

The Honda Pilot has the expansive cargo space you need for all your finds. Visit Tony Honda today for your test drive.

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A catalytic converter has been attached to every car in the US since 1975. The converter’s function is to remove dangerous and toxic chemicals produced by combustion by converting them into less harmful ones. Converters operate under high-pressure and high-temperature conditions, which can eventually lead to damage. These are some signs that you need to visit your Honda dealer for repair or replacement.

Signs You Need a New Catalytic Converter From Your Honda Dealer

Starting Problems

The combustion process begins as soon as your engine successfully cranks. Air is drawn into the intake manifold, and fuel is injected into it to form a usable fuel-air mixture. Efficient combustion requires a 14:1 air-to-fuel mix. This mixture will enter the cylinders, where it’s compressed and then ignited. Once the process has been completed in a cylinder, the cylinder opens and dumps the residue into the converter for conversion.
Blockages can build up in the converter over time, preventing the gases from leaving the converter and entering the exhaust system. These gases flow back into the engine, where they raise your engine’s internal pressure. The gases also contain fuel reside, which alters the fuel-air mixture. A high percentage of air in the mixture will prevent combustion, and your engine can shut down. We’ll examine the converter and remove any blockages to fix this problem.

Black Engine Smoke

Black exhaust smoke is a sign that your converter has failed. Before introducing converters, automobile exhaust was always black, as none of the dangerous gases were removed. You’ll also smell the stench of rotten eggs and gasoline from the exhaust. A failed converter can lead to major engine problems, and you can receive a citation for producing harmful emissions.
The high temperatures necessary for conversion can lead to your converter burning out. This will happen if your engine has a high fuel-to-air ratio, as much of the fuel in this situation won’t burn. Hot fuel is dumped into the converter, and its presence can increase the converter’s internal temperature to over 2,000 F and damage it. We’ll check your converter and install a new one if it’s burnt out.

Poor Acceleration

When you hit the gas, increased quantities of fuel and air are drawn into the intake manifold and the combustion process speeds up. This process works smoothly when your engine and converter are in good condition. If you start to notice a lag between stepping on the gas and your Honda reaching the desired speed, your converter could be partially blocked.
A partial blockage is caused by a buildup of carbon produced as a byproduct of the conversion process. This form of blockage reduces your engine power as the gases can’t be expelled from the converter as fast as they should be. We can easily clear the blockage to fix this problem.

If your converter seems to be failing, call us at Tony Honda.


Although less known than Honolulu, the city of Waipahu, HI, is also a fantastic and popular destination for travelers visiting the archipelago and wanting to discover its many tourist attractions and breathtaking landmarks. If you are visiting Oahu Island and are searching for the best places to visit as you drive around in your 2023 Honda Civic LX, here are three destinations you should check out.

The Top 3 Tourist Attractions in Driving Distance of Waipahu, HI

1. Pearl Harbor National Memorial

In memory of the 1941 attack that led the United States to formally enter World War II, the Pearl Harbor National Memorial is one of the most visited attractions in the region, and a place that draws visitors from all around the world every year. Located at 1 Arizona Memorial Pl in Honolulu and just seven miles east of Waipahu, this place can be reached in about 10 minutes by car via route I-H-1.
The attack on Pearl Harbor launched by the Japanese Empire against a U.S. Naval Base resulted in a death toll of over 2,400 Americans and the loss of 12 warships. The Pearl Harbor National Memorial is dedicated to portraying the significance of the attack, as well as showcasing artifacts such as the USS Missouri and the USS Bowfin submarine.

2. Keaiwa Heiau State Recreation Area

Covering an area of about 385 acres and featuring camping facilities, nature trails, and panoramic views of Pearl Harbor, Keaiwa Heiau State Recreation Area is another tourist attraction you should check out while exploring Oahu Island. Located at 99-1849 Aiea Heights Drive in the town of Aiea and less than 10 miles east of downtown Waipahu, this place can be reached in about 15 minutes by car via route I-H-1 and Aiea Heights Drive.
Besides the lush nature and the many hiking and biking trails, Keaiwa Heiau State Recreation Area also features the remains of an ancient temple constructed by native Hawaiians sometime during the 16th century. This public recreation area is open to the public every day of the week and is a popular destination for camping and picnicking.

3. Wahiawa Freshwater State Recreation Area

Located at 380 Walker Avenue in Wahiawa and about 10 miles north of Waipahu, Wahiawa Freshwater State Recreation Area is a popular tourist destination and an excellent spot for sightseeing, fishing, boating, and picnicking in a scenic natural environment. Open every day between 7:00 am and 6:45 pm, this place opened its doors to the public in the 1970s and offers public access to the waters of Wahiawa Reservoir.

If you’ve been thinking of buying a new car, SUV, or pickup truck to go on unforgettable road trips all over Oahu Island, we’ve got you covered! Send us a message at Tony Honda today, check out the different models in our inventory, and take home your favorite vehicle with a convenient financing plan.

Image by Alan Jones from Pixabay

Damaged Oxygen Sensors

Since the 1980s, cars have had sensors attached to their vital components that connect to a computer. This system helps to reduce the amount of information a driver must process and allows them to focus on driving. The computer in your Honda receives information from its numerous sensors and uses this information to make decisions.
One of the most important decisions involves the amount of air in your engine. Two oxygen sensors monitor the air level and advise your computer. Air is critical for your engine as efficient combustion requires a 14:1 ratio of air to fuel. If one or both of your oxygen sensors are damaged, your engine can develop misfiring or stall due to the lack of air. We can easily test the sensors and quickly replace damaged ones.

Blocked Air Filter

As we’ve seen, our engine requires large amounts of air. Air enters through the radiator grille and then passes into the air filter. This filter traps dirt and other debris in the air before it’s allowed into your engine. The reason for this is that dirt can damage sensitive engine components. As time passes, dirt will build up in the filter and clog it.
A clogged air filter prevents most air from reaching your engine, which means your engine will have too much fuel in its fuel-air mixture. A fuel-rich engine can cause damage to spark plugs, ignition coils, and other components. A fuel-rich engine also wastes fuel as much of the fuel used can’t burn due to the lack of air. We’ll check the air filter and can easily replace it. A new air filter will fix these problems.

Blue Exhaust Smoke

Normal exhaust smoke is whispy and almost invisible. If you notice blue-tinged exhaust smoke from the tailpipe, you have a problem with the engine. The blue coloring is caused by oil leaking into the exhaust system. Under normal circumstances, oil can never leave its designated sections of your engine. An oil leak could be caused by a leaking head gasket, damaged rings, or worn piston seals.
An oil leak can damage your engine, as the engine depends on a continual flow of oil to lubricate its components and protect them against friction damage. Our technicians will trace the source of the leak and permanently seal it to fix this problem.

If your engine isn’t working as efficiently as it should, come and see us today at Tony Honda.


There is no shortage of great restaurants and excellent food in Waipahu, HI. Load the family in a Honda Accord or Pilot and take them to these outstanding family restaurants below for authentic Hawaiian, Filipino, Japanese, and American cuisine.

4 Family Restaurants Worth the Drive Near Waipahu, HI

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The transmission isn’t something that most drivers think about, but its operation is vital for your car. It takes the unfocused energy generated by your engine and precisely focuses it via a series of gears to provide the power to move your Honda’s wheels. Over time your transmission can suffer damage or worn parts, and you’ll need to visit your friendly Honda dealer for a repair. These are signs that you need to visit us for a transmission repair.

Signs You Need a Transmission Repair at Your Honda Dealer

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Finding enjoyable outdoor activities suited to kids and adults can sometimes be challenging. However, if you are in Waipahu, HI, you will find plenty of exciting and engaging kid-friendly activities within driving distance of the town.

4 Kid-Friendly Activities You Can Drive to Near Waipahu, HI

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Cruising around enjoying the comfort that your Honda CR-V gives you and looking for somewhere to stop for a quality meal right here in the Waipahu, HI area? Then you’ve got to check out the local burger joints we highlighted below. Each of these restaurants makes a strong claim to having the best burgers our region has to offer by putting their own spin on this classic sandwich.

Just Down the Road: Where to Find the Best Burgers Near Waipahu, HI

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