As I ride the bus, I am struck by the chorus of neighborly hello’s as familiar faces come aboard. It’s charming, and I am reminded that sometimes the destination is in the journey itself. In this case, the local Kaua‘i bus is a combination of both – it provides comfortable, affordable, and efficient access to daily destinations, while also offering a picturesque view of the island as it travels across the different mokus.
The Līhu‘e-Hanalei Mainline connects the Central, East, and North corridors, while the Līhu‘e-Kekaha Mainline connects the Central to West side. Both routes cover an impressive number of shopping centers, farmers markets, restaurants, and frequented spots for errands like the First Hawaiian Bank, Wilcox Hospital, and Līhu‘e Civic Center.
Many of these locations are in the same area and it’s easy to fulfill your grocery and produce needs, shopping, and other errands at just one bus stop. The bus also includes stops at or within short walking distance of widely frequented destinations such as schools, neighborhood centers, post offices, churches, parks, and beaches.
If there is no bus stop located near your home, try the free Park & Ride service at bus stops Kapa‘a Skate Park or Anaina Hou – with a $5 Adult Day Pass, it’s easy to park your car, and hop on and off buses and shuttles for all your errands. If the walking distance is a bit long, alternately, you can bike to a bus stop and utilize the attached bike rack when boarding. A fun day for me would be hopping on the bus to escape the traffic and heat, grabbing fresh fruit at a farmers market, and then biking Ke Ala Hele Makalae (Kaua’i’s multiuse path on the East side) for beautiful ocean views.
During my ride, I talked story with a friendly bus driver who shared their knowledge of which stops led to popular locations – bus stops that would not have been immediately apparent to me otherwise. An Uncle on the bus alerted me that the stop Westside Pharmacy is just down the road from Old Hanapēpē Town, which hosts a weekly Friday night art walk, and would be easy to get to when I pau hana. Another passenger chimed in to ask if I knew of the Hanapēpē Swinging Bridge, a popular visitor destination only a 5-minute walk away from that stop. These conversations reminded me how meaningful the few extra minutes spent sharing a communal space with others can be. I admit that I usually choose my car as the perceived quickest mode of transport from point A to B, but on shared transportation, I get to make these small connections which are much more valuable.
Whatever your plans are, the Kaua‘i Bus provides an easy and convenient connection to many destinations for everyday needs. If you’re just in search of your next relaxing and relatively affordable island adventure, come aboard and witness the stunning scenery changes and charm for yourself.
Continue reading below for a list of destinations and corresponding bus stops on the Līhu‘e-Hanalei and the Līhu‘e-Kekaha Mainline buses. Please note that this is not a fully comprehensive list and there are many additional destinations near each bus stop. I encourage you to discover them for yourself!
The Kekaha – Līhu‘e Mainline, known as Route 100, travels from West Side to Central.
The Līhu‘e – Kekaha Mainline, known as Route 200, travels from Central to the West Side.
The Līhu‘e-Hanalei Mainline, known as Route 500, travels from Central to North Shore.
The Hanalei-Līhu‘e Mainline, known as Route 400, travels from North Shore to Central.
WEST SIDE:
Kekaha
Bus Stops – Kekaha Elderly Housing, Elepaio Rd/Io Rd (route 100/200)
- Up to 0.3 mile walk to Kekaha Federal Credit Union and USPS office
Waimea
Bus Stops – Waimea Neighborhood Center (route 100/200), Ishihara Market (route 100), Waimea First Hwn Bank (route 200)
- Big Save Supermarket, up to 0.3 mile walking distance from all three bus stops
- Up to 285 feet walk to Gather Federal Credit Union from Ishihara Market and Waimea First Hwn Bank
- Up to 341 feet walk to USPS office from Waimea First Hwn Bank and Ishihara Market
- Waimea Public Library, 0.2 mile walk from all three bus stops
- Hale Puna Farmers Market, Thursday, 3:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Old Hanapēpē Town
Bus Stop – Westside Pharmacy (route 200), Hanapēpē First United Church (route 100)
- 0.1 mile walk to USPS office from either bus stop
- Up to 295 feet walk to Hanapēpē Public Library
- Short walk to Hanapēpē Town and the Swinging Bridge
‘Ele‘ele Shopping Center
Bus Stop – Kealaula ‘Ele‘ele (route 100/200)
- Big Save Supermarket
- Bank of Hawai‘i
- 0.2 mile walk to Gather Federal Credit Union and USPS office
Additional USPS locations on the West side can be found within 0.2 miles walking distance of bus stops Lāwa‘i Post Office, A/C Lāwa‘i Post Office, Kalāheo Neighborhood Center, Kalāheo Post Office, and Makaweli Post Office.
CENTRAL:
Puhi Plaza Village
Bus Stops – Kaumuali‘i Hwy – KCC (route 200), Kaumuali‘i Hwy – Across KCC (route 100)
- Puhi Produce Farmers Market, Saturday, 9:30 AM – Sold Out
Hokulei Shopping Village
Bus Stop – Hokulei Village (routes 100, 200, 400, 500)
- Safeway Supermarket
- American Savings Bank
Kukui Grove Shopping Center
Bus Stop – Kukui Grove (routes 100, 200, 400, 500)
- Walking distance to Times Supermarket, Target, and Costco
- Gather Federal Credit Union and HawaiiUSA Federal Credit Union
- Pau HanaFamers Market, Monday, 3 PM – 5:30 PM
Rice Shopping Center
Bus Stop – Eiwa Street (Civic Center) (routes 100, 200, 400, 500)
- Up to 0.3 mile walk to multiple banks including First Hawaiian Bank, Bank of Hawai’i, Garden Island Federal CU, Kaua‘i Federal Credit Union, and Central Pacific Bank
- 0.2 mile walk to USPS office and Līhu‘e Public Library
EAST SIDE:
Coconut Marketplace, Kinipopo Shopping Village, Shops at Wailua Kai
Bus Stop – Courtyards at Waipouli (route 500), Kūhiō Hwy & Haleilio Rd (route 400)
- Island Country Market (ABC Stores) at Coconut Marketplace
- Coconut Marketplace Farmers Market, Tuesday and Thursday, 8 AM – 1 PM
Waipouli Town Center, Kaua‘i Village Shopping Center
Bus Stop – Waipouli Beach Resort (route 500), Kūhiō Hwy/Hoi Rd (route 400)
- Several grocery stores including Safeway, Papaya’s Natural Foods, and ABC Store
- 472 feet walk to American Savings Bank from Waipouli Beach Resort
Kapa‘a Town & Shopping Center
Bus Stop – Kapa‘a Hongwanji Mission (route 500), Pono Kai (route 500), Kapa‘a Library (route 500), Kapa‘a Neighborhood Center (400/500), Kapa‘a Big Save (route 400)
- Big Save Supermarket, Hoku Foods Natural Market
- Up to 0.3 mile walking distance to First Hawaiian Bank and Bank of Hawai‘i from Pono Kai, Kapa‘a Library, Across Kapa‘a Neighborhood Center; Gather Federal Credit Union from Kapa‘a Big Save
- 0.1 mile walk to USPS office from bus stop Kapa‘a Big Save
- Kapa‘a Library
- Sunshine Farmers Market, Wednesday, 3 PM – 4:30 PM
Additional USPS locations on the East side can be found within 0.2 miles walking distance of bus stops Keālia Beach and Anahola Post Office.
NORTH SHORE:
Historic Kong Lung Market Center
Bus Stop – Kīlauea Gym (route 400/500)
- 0.2 mile walk to Kīlauea Market + Café
- 0.2 mile walk to Kaua‘i Federal Credit Union and USPS office
- 0.5 mile walk to Kilauea Farmers Market, Thursday, 3 PM – 5 PM
Anaina Hou
Bus Stop – Anaina Hou (route 400/500)
- Farmers Market, Saturday, 9 AM – 9:30 AM (kupuna hours), 9:30 AM – 12 PM
Princeville Center
Bus Stop – Princeville Shopping Center (route 500), Across Princeville Library (route 400)
- Foodland Supermarket
- Up to 0.2 mile walk to First Hawaiian Bank, Bank of Hawai‘i, and USPS office
- 0.2 mile walk to Princeville Public Library
Ching Young Village Shopping Center, Hanalei Center
Bus Stop – Hanalei Neighborhood Center (route 500/400), Hanalei Post Office (route 500), Hanalei Center (route 400)
- Big Save Supermarket, Hanalei Market
- 0.1 mile walk to USPS office from Hanalei Center, 0.2 mile walk from Hanalei Neighborhood Center, and direct bus stop at Hanalei Post Office
- 0.9 mile walk to Waipā Farmers Market, Tuesday, 3 PM – 5 PM
- Hale Halawai Farmers Market, Saturday, 9:30 PM – 12 PM
Please visit https://www.kauai.gov/Government/Departments-Agencies/Transportation for the most up-to-date information and bus schedules.
-Clarissa Hsi, Climate Communications VISTA, Office of Economic Development, County of Kauai
