A One Driving School

This was nice. but not for me I guess. He made me sign up for two lessons which was understandable, but already out of my budget. I had read prior reviews online so I decided it should be worth it. After my second lesson, he told me I would need at least 13 or so more lessons. I really didn’t think I was that bad at driving. and turns out I’m not. My mom felt bad and said she’d rather teach me for free than have me pay about $ 1400 on these 13 more lessons. I’ve driven with her a few times now and I’m learning pretty fast! .maybe a little faster than how I was with Daniel.
Don’t get me wrong, I think he’s a great guy. I just didn’t quite like his teaching style. He was trying to talk story with me while I was driving and I really didn’t feel comfortable yet to carry a conversation while driving. I was really just trying to focus on my driving. He would also tell me last minute where to turn and for a new driver especially, that’s scary! Another thing is, before I could even start driving on the second lesson he kept asking questions about my personal life. I am happily taken and my boyfriend and I are just taking things slow. He has a very different opinion on my relationship, which is fine, but I felt almost as if he were attacking and judging my relationship. I mean come on, he’s supposed to be my teacher NOT my psychologist. I was really trying to be nice about it because I really value everyone else’s opinions, but I just don’t feel this was the time and place. A driving lesson isn’t a time to talk about our personal lives. I did learn some valuable things and am really grateful for the experience. I just can’t afford it and am not a fan of the way he teaches.

Ah, this is somewhat embarrassing to recount but this story must be told! It must!
When I was but a ye teenager, I needed to learn to drive. I was almost out of my teens, nineteen, and I was your typical Asian female driver. Not very good. Failed 3 times with different driving schools at different locations… I tried A+ Clark’s, I tried Koby’s — k, two driving schools is A LOT. Das how bad I was. WAS.
Then I came across A One and decided, eh, I can’t get any worse!
I had a difficult time with the other schools because I wasn’t feeling the instructors. They were either too stern, too serious, too quiet, just too not feeling the vibes! and it made me tense and nervous.
Daniel is the owner/​operator of A One and he is the coolest guy. The minute you meet him, he’s all smiles and he’s confident in his ability to teach you. I felt at ease. He’s instructive, informative AND fun!
PLUS
He picks you up and drops you off!
He teaches you all the testing routes!
He hires someone to wait in line at 5am so that you can sleep in on the day of your driving test!
He’s been in the business a long time… I took him when I was 19… I’m 29 now! He’s teaching my little sister now!
If you need help driving, this is your school.

Daniel is a truly caring driving instructor –his methods are well thought out based on a multi-​year experience as a defensive driving instructor. He’s efficient, effective and very calm.
I’d recommend you take lessons with Daniel if you want to pass your road test or if you already have a license but want to polish your parking and safe driving skills.
Daniel is not just getting you ready for the road test, he’s also making sure you’ll be driving safely.
You’ll pass your road test and become a great, safe driver — just listen to him.

braddah Daniel kaimi was nice on the phone call, he provided the standard vehicle! Came pick me up, taught me everything! Took me from my house to the park, learn hills, balance clutch, learn gears, complete stopping! Then straight on the freeway, heading towards Kahala, turned around… learned down shift, 1^st ~ 6^th gear! I’m super confident, and comfortable now! Mahalos braddah daniel… one time for two hours, you should be good… he talk story, he laugh with u. nuff sed!!! :)))

Daniel is a great teacher! He is very patient and very encouraging. He has a good stage-​by-​stage program and is very thorough.
I didn’t have the time or the finances to completely go through his program, but he let my husband come along on our last lesson so he could show him how to continue my driving lessons, which was very thoughtful of him. I highly recommend him!

I have been a licensed driver nationally and internationally for 24 years. I contacted Daniel for driving lessons on a manual or «stick shift» transmission. To my surprise he returned my call and took me for a driving lesson the same day!
In 1986 my dad (bless his heart) gave me a couple of lessons on his 1967 Audi. To be quite honest with you the gears were difficult to find and my nerves got the better of me. Long story short I succeeded in consistently choking the clutch and stalling the car. My confidence and hopes of learning to drive much less obtaining a learner’s permit were dashed.
A friend’s dad came to my rescue and loaned us an automatic transmission vehicle. In retrospect I realize my dad must’ve been heartbroken and disappointed that I opted for the «easy way out». I excelled — learnt to drive, parallel park and complete 3 point turns in two weeks. I took the written and road tests, missed 1 item on each — I was proud, I’d succeeded in obtaining my learner’s permit! Six months later I obtained my driver’s license and have been driving without incident ever since.
Zoom forward to 2011 and you find me dreaming about to learn how to drive a manual transmission. I contacted Daniel and honestly thought his response would be that he would schedule me in a week or two. While I had him on the phone I took a chance and asked if his schedule would permit a same day lesson he said YES! Once I hung up the phone my heart raced as I asked myself «What did I just get myself into?!»
Daniel picked me up, drove to a parking lot surrounded by a couple of roads with light traffic and slight inclines — I was far too excited to take note of just how perfect this location was for my training. Daniel knew I was nervous, he focused on getting to know me and shared information about himself, his family and his credentials. I was at ease in no time and quickly felt comfortable and confident in his abilities as an instructor and mine as his student. He is friendly, professional, trustworthy and eager to help his students’ master safe and proper driving techniques. Throughout my driving lesson he was calm; reassuring and immediately praised the things I did correctly. When I made mistakes (and I did make my fair share), he NEVER lost his temper or became agitated. His tone of voice was calm and reassuring. He told me he had complete confidence in my abilities and he kept telling me that throughout my lesson.
Daniel promised that I’d learn how to balance a clutch as well as how and when to change gears. He consistently emphasized safety and took the time to explain why it is important to use the hand break, when to turn the wheels in a certain direction (ex: when parked on a hill), when to put one’s foot on the brake and clutch pedals as well as sharing a story about a man who thought he knew all about driving a manual transmission and didn’t need driving lessons from a certified instructor. Long story short that guy failed to follow proper safety precautions and smashed the entire front end of his NEW CAR against the wall of a parking garage! It didn’t take long for that guy to seek Daniel out.
If you are looking for a driving instructor who is worth the time and money call A One Driving School. Daniel is the only instructor on island who provides lessons on driving and operating a manual transmission. His attitude, personality and teaching style is perfect. He is supportive, kind and easy to understand. He puts safety first and cares about his students. From Daniel’s point of view it is important that we students meet our goals BUT it is far more important that we understand what is going on with the vehicle while we are driving as well as consequences of decisions and actions behind the steering wheel.
You may think that Daniel’s prices are expensive. I promise you — you truly get what you pay for. He is WORTH the time and the financial investment. Under his watchful eye I learned proper techniques, rules of the road and developed confidence in 1 lesson. Daniel erased the shame and disappointment of my early failures in 1986 and I can’t Thank him enough. I learned invaluable skills and gained a great friend.
Daniel, You are an outstanding instructor!
With heartfelt thanks and sincere appreciation,
Melissa Sheow