Bus stops in Lower Puna

[Carmen]

Hello,

I am new to this forum, and I have been advised to post here this question so here I go:

I am looking for the locations of the bus stops in Lower Puna (after Pahoa). I have just searched everywhere in Internet with no success (even the information email from heleon bus).

I will be staying in Pahoa downtown next month without a rental car but would like very much to take a day trip to the tide pools, Black Sand beach, etc. I see there are two bus stops in the coastal road, one in Seaview States and another one in Pohoiki.

Could anyone please tell me the approximate location of the Pohoiki bus stops? I would like to know if we can really use the bus to explore the area or if the distances are too long.

Mahalo in advance,

Carmen

[Carey]

The New County link for the bus service now has maps, so go to:
http://www.heleonbus.org/schedules-and-maps
Link on the bus schedule you want (Pahoa/Pohoiki to Hilo) and a pdf file with the schedule & map will appear.
http://www.heleonbus.org/schedules-and-maps

There are 3 weekday buses each way with service to Pohoiki (about 3 ish mile hike to the tide pools) then to Seaview (a short few minute hike down to Kehena) and on to Kalapana (near Kaimu beach - fun place to go - usually has roughish waves, but really beautiful, and less than 5 miles to the lava viewing)

All of the county buses are free. For $1 each ride more, you can take a bike if you want to reduce your hikes.

[asly]

Pretty amazing the county buses are free! I didn't realize that, Thanks again Carey!

[Devany]

Carey,

We used to rent a house near Kehena and I would say that it is at least 1-1/2 miles to Kehena from Seaview and then there is the trail down to the actual beach.

FYI to anyone who cares, Kehena is a beautiful black sand beach. It is small at high tide and you have to hike down a steep cliff to get to it. It is a clothing optional beach with about 50% of people "opting" for no bathing suits. There is also a steep drop off just a few feet from shore, swimming is good once you get past the breaking waves. Not good for surfing.

Thanks for providing the new links for the bus. It is amazing and wonderful that we have free public transportation. Though it is not daily for some and we could lose funding for it next year, it is a year to year thing.



Aloha au i Hawai`i,
devany

www.myhawaiianhome.blogspot.com
www.eastbaypotters.blogspot.com

[asly]

We don't even have public transportation where I live in MT, and I sorely miss the option, especially where every town is sooo far away from each other. Where our farm is in WA we have a public transit system, the cost was $1.25 for a day pass, that served our little town three times a day. When gas was over $4 a gal, believe me, that baby was crowded as this town is a least an hour from anywhere. I surely hope the funding stays for public transportation on the Big Island, even if there ends up being a fee for it.

[Rob Tucker]

I think this is a general forum topic and will move it there from the non-classifieds.

Good subject.

It has been my understanding that the bus will stop and pick you up anywhere on the route. Just give them a obvious wave.

[Carmen]

Thanks a lot for your replies.
In fact, I saw the maps of the county transportation site, and they mark the trayectory with a blue line, but the locations of the stops are not to be seen.

I also am surprised that the bus stops in Kalapana. This stop is not included in the schedule! But good to know that it exist.

Mahalo!

Carmen

[Obie]

Ask the driver to drop you off at the entrance to Vacationland.It is about 1/2 mile walk down Kapoho Kai to the tidepools.

They drop off and pick up residents of Vacationland every day.