Do you want to take a panoramic tour of the island of Oahu, one of the largest in the beautiful archipelago of Hawaii, but you don't have a car at your disposal? There is an alternative solution. Remember that you will need a whole day off and some cash to take with you.
Steps
Step 1. Depart from the Ala Moana Shopping Center
You will find bus stops on both sides of the shopping center, both in the direction of the beach and towards Kapiolani Boulevard. Find the bus heading towards "Leeward / Central".
Step 2. Take bus "52:
Wahiawa-Circle Isle . This bus will depart from Ala Moana and arrive at the North Shore. You will pass through the city center via the H-1. Skirting Pearl Harbor from afar you will reach Mililani in no time at all. Between Mililani and Haleiwa you can admire several sugar cane fields. The coach will arrive at the Turtle Bay Resort. The journey takes a total of 2.5 hours, depending on the traffic on the H-1. You can get off at any point you prefer, and then get back on the next bus: lines 52 and 55 run approximately every 30 minutes.
Step 3. If you want to get off the bus to take a tour of Haleiwa, remember to get off before the third stop, just after leaving the highway and entering the city center
Keep in mind that the area is quite large and the first part of the city you will find yourself in is not the main one.
Step 4. If you decide to stop at Waimea Bay to admire the surfers (recommended
), remember to take the stop at the foot of the hill, as soon as you enter the bay. Carefully cross the street, cross the bridge and reach the beach. From here you can also reach the small town on the other side of the bay, continuing to walk along the coast. The road is a bit uphill, but once you get to the top you can take the bus, which passes right there.
Step 5. Take a break in Turtle Bay and enjoy the view of the Pacific Ocean
Once at this stop, the drivers usually turn off the bus and take a break. The stop typically lasts 10 to 20 minutes, so be sure to stay nearby.
Step 6. Stay on the same bus:
the driver will change route and destination. You will find yourself proceeding along the line "55: Honolulu-Ala Moana". Don't worry, you are not going back to the city, but on the contrary you are going to visit the Windward coast. Along this line you can admire the famous Chinaman's Hat (the island of Mokolii). Along the way you will find many beaches and parks, although most of the time the coast will be made up of rocks and headlands. This stretch of the journey takes approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Step 7. Look for the Windward City Shopping Center in Kaneohe
Do not get off at Windward Mall, even if the coach will pass through that area first. Get off in front of the Kaiser Koolau Clinic. Cross the street and go to the other side of the shopping center: next to McDonalds you will find the stop from which the line passes "56: Honolulu / Ala Moana". The bus in question runs approximately every 40 minutes, although less frequently in the early afternoon. For information and timetables, you can consult the website of the transport company: www.thebus.org.
Step 8. Go through some residential areas of Kaneohe and into Kailua
Kailua is the most populated city in the southeastern area. Once you enter Kailua, you will cross Oneawa Street. Try to get off at the stop near the intersection "Kailua Road and Oneawa". You will get off in front of a Chevron gas pump. The journey takes a total of 40 minutes.
Step 9. Cross the street and go to the stop in front of First Hawaiian Bank
Take the line "57: Kailua-Sea Life Park". Be careful, as several buses of line 57 stop in this area: you will have to take the one marked "Kaikua-Sea Life Park". You will cross the Enchanted Lakes, then enter Waimanalo, one of the cities most populated by Hawaiians and other Pacific ethnicities on the Windward side. Observe the view as you walk along the promontory that will take you to Sea Life Park: a truly exciting sight. Get off at this stop. The journey will take a total of 30 minutes and buses run every 20 minutes.
Step 10. Choose one of the following itineraries, depending on what you prefer to visit and which one you want your final destination to be
- "Route 23: Waikiki-Ala Moana": Line 23 departs from Sea Life Park and passes through the Hawaii Kai residential area. It will pass through Kahala and Waikiki to end the journey at the Ala Moana Shopping Center.
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Waikiki_767 "Route 22: Waikiki": This line starts at Sea Life Park and runs along the ocean to Hanauma Bay. He will then continue to Kahala, to conclude his trip to Waikiki. To return to Ala Moana you will need to board one of the coaches in the direction of the shopping center, including shuttles to the airport.
Advice
- It is possible to buy a 4-day pass for $ 20 (around 16 euros), which will allow you to have unlimited access on all buses for 4 days. Not only will it save you money if you plan on stopping in Honolulu for a few days, but it will save you the hassle of having to pay the exact ticket price every time you board a bus. This is a nice advantage for such an itinerary, as you can hop on and off the buses as many times as you want without worrying about getting tickets.
- If everything goes well and you manage to respect the validity times of each ticket, the entire trip will cost around $ 6 per person (around € 4.50), or $ 8 (around € 6.20) if the ticket bought in Ala Moana will expire before reaching Kaneohe.
- If you don't have time or money problems, take this opportunity to explore all the areas and cities where you will stop. It is a good opportunity to try some local food, instead of taking refuge in the usual fast food places.
- Remember to ask for a combined ticket, so you don't have to pay the fare again on the next bus. The combined ticket can only be used once and will be valid for the duration shown on it. Generally the total duration is 2 and a half hours, but some cumulative tickets are also valid for 3 or 4 hours.
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If you are anywhere on the island and want to return to the Ala Moana / Waikiki area, here are some suggestions:
- From Turtle Bay wait for the "55: Kaneohe / Circle Isle" line (which, at some point, will change line number and come back).
- If you are between Turtle Bay and Kaneohe, stay on the bus. Don't get off at Windward City Shopping Center - the coach will cross Pali Highway back to Honolulu.
- If you are on line 56, stay on the bus. You will return to Ala Moana.
