Live without car in Hawaii (Hilo: home, income, live in)

[klind65]

HI folks,


If I move to Hawaii, I prefer not to have a car. Is there an island wherein one could get to most places by bicycle, moped or bus? Like a smaller village -type of setting? Looking mostly at Maui and Kauai. I've been to Big Isle where the car seemed necessary (didn't try the bus - hardly ever saw it!)



By the way, are mopeds or scooters available on the islands?

[eureka1]

IMHO not workable.

[Dreaming of Hawaii]

OP, if you move to a "smaller village", what do you plan to do for income?

I have friends who live in the Na'alehu/Ocean View area of Ka'u on the BI and they do not drive. Some get around on bikes and some hitchhike. There is a very infrequent (two times a day?) bus that you can get to either Kona or Hilo.

I see people riding scooters and mopeds all the time.

"Get to most places without a car" is going to be difficult.

[hotzcatz]

Oahu is the island with the most public transport, but it's also the island with the most people, traffic and highest rents. Otherwise, I'd expect Maui to have more public transport than Kauai, but I've not gone and looked or lived on either.

[ScottStielow]

I did the first 5 years I lived on Oahu. Took the bus everywhere. It can be done. Just have to leave early if you have to be somewhere at a certain time.

[No Happy]

I have lived on Kauai for 2 years and have had no vehicle for the last year and a half.

[FrancaisDeutsch]

Originally Posted by No Happy

I have lived on Kauai for 2 years and have had no vehicle for the last year and a half.

Thank you for not having a car.

[axelthefox]

Yup. It can be done. I don't get why so many kids want to move to the mainland. There is virtually no bus service on the mainland, you would be stuck on the mainland if you can't drive. Unlike Hawaii,where you can catch the bus.

[hotzcatz]

Well, perhaps 'unlike Oahu' where you can catch the bus. There isn't as much bus on some of the other islands. Oahu is pretty good with The Bus.

A lot of mainland cities are pretty good with public transport (such as Seattle or Portland), but it depends on the city. Same as Hawaii, although around here it depends on the island, more so than the city.

[Open-D]

Originally Posted by ScottStielow

I did the first 5 years I lived on Oahu. Took the bus everywhere. It can be done. Just have to leave early if you have to be somewhere at a certain time.

Bringing home that new Sofa/Love Seat can be a tester as well. I recommend a Toyota Pickup, Tacoma or Tundra as needs and desires dictate. I couldn't even imagine life without motorized transport (personal).