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UH Hilo students can get around Hilo on the Hele-On Bus, which is fare-free for all passengers through December 31, 2028. Routes 10, 11, and 103 stop at UH Hilo, and Route 101 serves campus on Sundays and holidays. Route 103 also stops at Hawaiʻi Community College and Prince Kūhiō Plaza. Students can also use the HIBIKE bike share, Uber, taxis, and free general parking on campus under UH Hilo’s current temporary parking program.
Hale Kawili, at 430 West Kawili Street, is just steps from the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo and close to Hawaiʻi Community College, so many days you won’t need a ride at all. Our 12-month leases include free parking for one vehicle per resident, and 1-Gig internet is available when you’d rather stay in and study.
How Does the Hele-On Bus Work in Hilo?
The Hele-On Bus is Hawaiʻi County’s public transit system. It runs 24 fixed and flex routes across the island, and most Hilo routes start and end at the Moʻoheau Bus Terminal downtown.
Hele-On Is Fare-Free
According to Hele-On’s fares page, the bus is free for all passengers until December 31, 2028. You don’t need a pass, a student ID, or exact change. Just board and ride.
The Moʻoheau Bus Terminal Is the Main Hub
The Moʻoheau Bus Terminal, at 329 Kamehameha Avenue in downtown Hilo, is where you’ll transfer between most routes. Its information center can help with routes and schedules.
Planning Your Trip
Use Hele-On’s trip planner to map a route, or look up schedules in Google Maps. Check bus schedules and maps before you go, because some routes run only Monday through Friday.
Which Hele-On Routes Serve UH Hilo?
Hele-On lists four routes that serve UH Hilo and Hawaiʻi Community College:
| Route | Name | Good to Know |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | Hilo to Ocean View | Regional route that stops at UH Hilo |
| 11 | Red Line, Hilo to Volcano | Connects UH Hilo with Volcano |
| 101 | Keaukaha | Serves campus on Sundays and holidays only; also the direct route to the airport |
| 103 | Waiakea-Uka | Stops at UH Hilo, along W. Kawili St, at Hawaiʻi CC, and at Prince Kūhiō Plaza |
Route 103 Is the Everyday Campus Route
Route 103 is a circulator that leaves Moʻoheau Terminal about once an hour. It stops on Kapiʻolani Street at UH Hilo, on W. Kawili Street at Waiakea High School, on E. Kawili Street at Hawaiʻi CC, and at Prince Kūhiō Plaza for shopping. Route 103 doesn’t run on Sundays or County holidays, so use Route 101 on those days.
How Can You Get Around Hilo by Bike?
Biking is an easy way to cover short trips around Hilo, and you can combine it with the bus.
HIBIKE Bike Share
HIBIKE is Hawaiʻi Island’s bike share program, run by a nonprofit and funded by the Mass Transit Agency. Bikeshare Hawaiʻi Island offers monthly memberships, and Hele-On riders can get a free code for unlimited 30-minute rides for 24 hours. Check the HIBIKE app for current Hilo stations before you head out.
Bringing Your Bike on the Bus
Every Hele-On bus has a rack that holds two bikes. Space is first come, first served, and you load your own bike from the curb side. Hele-On’s bicycle guidelines don’t allow motorized, tandem, or three-wheel bikes.
Bike Parking on Campus
Bikes and mopeds park in designated racks on campus without a permit. UH Hilo’s campus parking map shows where the racks are.
Can You Use Rideshare or Taxis in Hilo?
Yes. Rideshare is handy for late nights, grocery runs, and trips the bus doesn’t cover:
- Uber: Uber operates at Hilo International Airport and around town. UH Hilo’s orientation planning page notes that rideshare companies serve Hilo and the airport, with pickup at baggage claim.
- Taxis: Taxis wait at the airport, and the airport’s taxicab page has the details.
- Car rentals: Several companies have counters at Hilo International Airport, which helps when you’re planning a weekend trip around the island.
How Do UH Hilo Students Get to the Airport?
Hilo International Airport (ITO) is the closest airport to campus, with flights on Hawaiian Airlines and Southwest Airlines. To get there:
- Take the bus. Hele-On’s airport service page lists Route 101 Keaukaha as the direct route to ITO. The stop is between the airport restaurant and the helicopter service counter.
- Request a rideshare. Use the airport’s designated pickup zones.
- Drive and park. Plan this ahead if you’re leaving a car during a long break.
If you fly into Kona instead, plan for about a 2.5-hour drive to Hilo, according to UH Hilo’s orientation page.
What Should UH Hilo Students Know About Campus Parking?
If you drive, check UH Hilo’s parking page each semester. UH Hilo is currently running a temporary parking program, and paid permits aren’t required for general campus parking from 6 a.m. to midnight. The university notes that the program may change, so confirm the current rules before the semester starts. You can reach the Parking Office at 808-932-7001.
Hawaiʻi Community College’s Manono campus doesn’t require parking permits either, but its lots close from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m., according to its campus maps page.
What Accessible Transportation Is Available in Hilo?
Hele-On Kakoʻo Paratransit offers origin-to-destination rides, booked in advance, in the Hilo, Puna, and Kona fixed-route areas. Eligibility depends on whether a rider is functionally unable to use the fixed routes. You can also get a free disability discount ID card at the Moʻoheau Bus Terminal Information Center.
Why Is Getting Around Hilo Easy From Hale Kawili?
Between the fare-free Hele-On, bike share, and rideshare, you can get around Hilo without much planning, and a car is optional. Living at Hale Kawili, steps from UH Hilo, means most days start with a short walk to class. You also have free parking for one vehicle when you’re ready to explore the island.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Hele-On bus free?
Yes. According to Hele-On’s fares page, the bus is free for all passengers until December 31, 2028.
Which bus goes to UH Hilo?
Hele-On Routes 10, 11, and 103 serve UH Hilo, and Route 101 serves campus on Sundays and holidays. Route 103 also stops at Hawaiʻi Community College and Prince Kūhiō Plaza.
Does the Hele-On run on Sundays?
Some routes do. Route 103 doesn’t run on Sundays or County holidays, but Route 101 Keaukaha serves UH Hilo and the airport on those days.
How do I get from UH Hilo to Hilo International Airport?
Take Hele-On Route 101 Keaukaha, the direct bus route to the airport, or request an Uber to the airport’s rideshare zone.
Do UH Hilo students need a parking permit?
Not for general campus parking right now. UH Hilo’s temporary parking program doesn’t require paid permits from 6 a.m. to midnight, but the rules may change, so check the parking page each semester.
