Getting Around on Hawaii’s Islands

July 7th, 2008

This is one of the most common question we get, so it never hurts to refresh" when it comes to this topic.

"Let’s start with the “outer” neighbor islands — the Big Island of Hawaii, Kauai, Maui and Maui’s closest neighbors, Molokai and Lanai.  The rental car will be your mode of choice on all of them, as public transportation is not built for vacationers.

The Big Island
This is one BIG island!  It’s bigger than Crete or Cyprus or Puerto Rico.  Its area is twice that of all the other Hawaiian islands combined.  If you want to drive around it, block out eight hours, if you just drive non-stop.  The things you’ll want to see are pretty far from each other.  The erupting volcano is two hours from Kona in one direction and Hilo is two hours away in the other direction.
In the Kailua-Kona area, you’ll find courtesy vans, taxis, and rentable mopeds, and don’t overlook the organized "circle island" tours.  Don’t consider bussing it.

Kauai
The main reason Kauai is called the “Garden Isle” is that it rains a lot to produce all that verdant splendor.  There is no bus service you can depend on, and taxis aren’t a very good option.  Mopeds or bikes can be useful at the south of the island — Koloa or Poipu, because the weather’s dryer and the terrain’s relatively flat.  Unless you’re going to hang at your resort, rent a car.

Maui
Think rental car.  The attractions are spread out all over the Island and the bus service is anything but convenient.  Make sure you reserve your rental car early because the island tends to “fill up” year ‘round.  A moped can be fun for local runs around Kihei or Lahaina.  Don’t try to take a moped on the road to Hana, cruising upcountry, or going from the north of the island to the South.  On Lanai and Molokai, a rental car is the only way to roll.

Oahu
Aside from the rental car, you have many transportation options on “The Gathering Place.”  If you’re planning to limit your stay to the Waikiki and Honolulu areas, and if you’re willing to use other available means of transportation, you may not even need to rent a car.  Your hotel’s courtesy van can pick you up at the airport, or you can easily get a taxi.  When you’re settled in, you can walk, bus, or take a cab to most anywhere you want to go.  (You’ll be surprised by how many great places are within walking distance!)  The Waikiki and Aloha Tower trolleys are fun, cheap, and hit almost all of the interesting places to be and see.  TheBus (That’s the logo for the bus company) has regular and punctual service all over the island for $2, including transfers ($1 for seniors).  Keep in mind that a lot of the activities and attractions include free transportation in the price of your participation.  If you want to spend a day or two exploring the island on your own, your can reserve a car for that period only rather than paying to keep one for the duration of your stay.

Entry Filed under: Big Island, Kauai, Maui, Molokai, Oahu