- The Bus -

When I first moved out I tried to use TheBus system. For me, this was not a very quick or convenient way to get around. From the neighborhood I lived in to the central town I work, my 13 mile commute took about an hour and 45 min each way... a 20 minute drive by car. This was almost 4 hours of my day being spent on a bus, which for me wasn't worth saving money not buying my own vehicle. If I wanted to go to the beach (any beach) it would take close to two hours. If you are staying/work in town or work close to home, TheBus is a great way to get around. Same goes for staying/working solely on the North Shore. However, if you need to get from one side of the island to the other, this is not the quickest way to get around. They have a couple great apps to track the running buses and direct you where and when to get off, my personal favorite was the Moovit App. "DaBus" app was always delayed and glitchy.

 

- Having Your Own Vehicle -

Eventually I found a used, reliable car on Offer Up and gained some freedom to explore and sleep in a little later. I am slowly finding better places to park when going to more touristy areas and spots in town. Most of the parking areas in town require a parking fee, either at a street meter or a parking lot pay station. They patrol this lots viciously, so I wouldn't risk skipping on feeding the meter. There are plenty of open air parking lots in Honolulu, most are at least $3/hour. Ala Moana, Whole Foods and Target in town have free parking in covered garages and are also located semi-centrally. Parking on the north shore, east side, and west side is generally always free (other than Waimea valley on the weekend) but a lot of it is near residential neighborhoods, so please be mindful. During surf competitions, parking gets CRAZY around Pipeline, Waimea, Pupukea and Sunset Beach, and sometimes during contests and other events residents offer spots in their yards for a small fee. For events like these, it is best to carpool. Unless you get lucky or arrive very early, you'll probably have a bit of walking to do. Be courteous of people's property up there! They are bombarded with tourists everyday and they last thing they want is some idiot blocking their driveway. 

If you are moving here and are thinking of purchasing a vehicle or shipping one over, both are options. Used car availability has decreased substantially in recent months, and the prices of used cars has skyrocketed. It is often times cheaper to buy a new vehicle here, especially for trucks. Shipping a car over costs around $1,000, and requires you taking it to one of the coastal ports for shipment. I did not ship a car so I am not overly familiar with this process, but I do know your car needs to be completely empty of your belongings and it takes a couple weeks.

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- Uber | Lyft | Rideshares -

    Uber and Lyft are pretty prevalent and are the common means to get to town if we want to avoid the terrible parking or if we want to go to the bars. There are a few taxi services as well but I have honestly never used them. Around closing time for the bars, the surge pricing for Uber can be a little insane (over $100 for a 18 mile ride). We noticed Lyft doesn't surge prices like Uber so we usually use that to get home. This can change your ride price from $60 to $30. A morning/midday uber from the airport to North Shore and vice versa usually runs about $60+ depending how far you are.

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- Rental Cars -

    If you are visiting and need a rental car, there are obviously the airport rentals which are pretty convenient. But, if you are looking for cheaper options there is always Turo which many of my friends have had great luck with. Check with your employer for special discount rates on rental cars at the airport. **Update** During COVID times, the islands sold and shipped out a lot of rental cars, so much so we now have an island-chain wide shortage. Be sure to book well in advance if you want a rental car for your trip!!**

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- Mopeds -

    If you are on the North Shore on a weekend, especially on a weekend when the surf is good, expect traffic to be insane. Mopeds and beach cruiser bikes can speed past the frustrating traffic but are pretty limited to the region of the island you are at, and can also be dangerous (lots of moped accidents here). You aren't legally supposed to drive mopeds on the highways because they don't go fast enough, and aren't overly safe. There are multiple moped accidents here each year, and also casualties.

 

- Beach Cruisers -

Beach cruiser bikes aren't exactly the most quick mode of transpiration but are fun to cruise around Haleiwa and Pupukea area, as there are a few bike trails around to avoid having to ride next to traffic. Many people living along the beach choose bikes to get around the north shore if they are going for a swim or checking the surf. Make sure to lock up your bike wherever you park. "Chronics" like to hide out in the bushes and steal bikes regularly. There are plenty of rental options though if you want to ditch the car and get a more scenic view. Just beware of crazy drivers and oblivious tourists.

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- Bikis -

Once you get to town (Honolulu/Waikiki) you will notice many people cruising around on aqua blue bikes, better known as Bikis. This is a great way to get from bar to bar, beach to beach, or sightsee the city without having to scour for parking. You can download their app and set up an account to use them. You input your card info, select your station and it will send you a code to enter on any of the available bike numeral key pads. They bike will unlock and you remove it from the lock station. It is $20 for 300 minutes is a steal and will last a long time!  You can access the bike station locations and availability from the app, and they will mail you a card if you request for quick bike access. Recently, they have removed a few stations and there was talk that they might be shutting down for good, but I still see them around and have an active account. Be sure to take a photo of the condition of your bike before you unlock it, and take a photo or video of the bike locked up. I had an incident where they tried to claim my bike was not returned to the bike station after riding it. It was a stressful ordeal and they were trying to charge me a couple THOUSAND dollars for a replacement bike. After a difficult time reaching them and a long talk with their customer service, they realized their error. That turned me off from the company quite a bit. However, it's a fun concept when they work, just protect your self and document your ride experience. Chronics in town have discovered ways to "break out" the bikis and steal them, and I think the company was trying to blame it on the previous rider for "not properly inserting the bike into the lock".

 

- Theft | Break-Ins -

As with everywhere on the island, do not leave visible valuables in your car, and be very sneaky about hiding things in your trunk... they can break into there just as easily. Do any rummaging before you leave home to lessen the chance thieves can scope out your car. Theft and car break-ins is a daily occurrence here, as well as vehicles being stolen. They'll bust out your window for pocket change in your console and steal your car while you surf. Be smart and NEVER leave your keys unattended. Car theft is also amazingly common. Cars are stolen and stripped for parts, then ditched on the side of the road, or abandoned in stripping fields all over the island. You'll see lot of abandoned cars here, rental cars included, and very little will be done to find the perpetrators - unfortunately. Crime is heavy and is not slowing down here.