Hilo without a car? (buying, movies, school)

[kayy911]

Hey,

I'm thinking of attending UH-Hilo and was wondering if a college student living on campus would have problems getting around town without a car?

Is the supermarket within walking distance? Walmart?

Thanks.

[CyberCity]

You might try contacting the college for their input. They'll be able to answer questions about public transportation that services the school, etc. Good luck!

[OpenD]

Originally Posted by kayy911

I'm thinking of attending UH-Hilo and was wondering if a college student living on campus would have problems getting around town without a car?

Unfortunately, yes. Public transportation on the Big Island sucks. Bikes and scooters help a lot of students get around, but keep in mind that it rains very frequently in Hilo. if you don't have a car, you'll probably wish you did.

Information on the Hele-On bus service can be found here: Select a Schedule... — Hele-On Bus

Originally Posted by kayy911

Is the supermarket within walking distance? Walmart?

It's about 3 miles from Uof H to the shopping centers where WalMart and Target and KTA Supermarket and the banks and movies are. I suggest you do some browsing on Google Maps to get a sense of things.

Good luck!

[terracore]

You could be known as the person who bums rides all the time. Or you could get a car. The occasional times that you use a taxi would probably be offset by buying a junker. There is a bus, but the schedule only works for the most desperate.

[hotzcatz]

There are quite a few students who get by without a car, but it's "getting by" without a car, it's not the easiest thing. A moped or bicycle will help a lot although, as previously mentioned, it does rain rather frequently in Hilo. Many times it is just a quick downpour and then the sun is back, although if you are riding a bicycle, you'll still have wet pavement and puddles to deal with.

There are buses, although their schedules are still kinda sparse. However, if you are living on campus or near enough to walk to school, you'll be able to manage without a car easily enough. Exercise is good for folks!

[PacificFlights]

Like anywhere in the world, you can get by without a car if the activity you are doing is limited mostly to activites where no car is needed. But be hionest with your self and ask, will you only be living on the Big island and only willing to enjoy the stuff you can walk to to that meets the bus schedule, or other folks schedules? lets say you want to so swiming at a certain beech. Lets say you want to visit VNP. lets say you decide to check out the west side places and have diiner there. Or head up to the mountain on on a whim. Now also consider you head to wally world or KTA and you buy your weekly groceries and some cloths, how easy will it be to hault hat stuff around and to a bus stop or back to campus? can you get by without a car, sure can, just like you can "get by" without indoor plumbing..... but it sure will make the experience that musch better.

[cagary]

Kinda hilly for a bicycle, too.

[mdand3boys]

Hilo without a car - for a UH student?

Hundreds already do it.

[rawvegan]

Originally Posted by kayy911

Hey,

I'm thinking of attending UH-Hilo and was wondering if a college student living on campus would have problems getting around town without a car?

Is the supermarket within walking distance? Walmart?

Thanks.

Hilo without a car is easy. There are buses and they are free. If your at the school your within walking distance to Island Naturals and some other big box stores I wont mention. Please don't move to the island and then go shop at walmart. Places like this are not needed and do more damage than good. good luck.

[CyberCity]

Originally Posted by rawvegan

Please don't move to the island and then go shop at walmart. Places like this are not needed and do more damage than good. good luck.

I live on the island, and say, shop all you want at WalMart.