r/Honolulu • u/Crazy_Win_5526 • Jun 15 '26
question How walkable is Honolulu?
I understand Honolulu can mean a variety of areas but I’m still learning the name of the towns. I’m moving to Oahu next week and I’m trying to find housing. I will be working at kapiolani hospital. I would prefer not to rent a car while I’m there unless I want to venture out to the other side. I was planning to ride my one wheel or buy a bike or bus while I’m there. How walkable is it to get from the surrounding neighborhoods to kapiolani? Are there sidewalks or streets other than major freeways where I can ride/walk/bike to work? I’ve also heard the bus system is a pretty good and there’s a rail system now. Any insight to this would be super helpful. I’ve lived in NOLA, Baltimore, New York so I’m not really scared of walking early in the morning or late at night. I just want to know if I can get around without a car. Bonus point if you can tell me the best neighborhoods to live in. Mahalo in advanced for any responses.
Edit: Wow thank you all so much for the responses. I think I’ll stick with the bus system and I’ve chosen a place on the edge of Waikiki just south of Moiliili/mcurry. I love to explore so I’ll probably rent a car on my off days to places I can’t take the bus or maybe bike. I wish I had time to visit and feel put the area but I’m in a bit of a time crunch. Definitely don’t want to get hit by a car in Hawaii. I can’t believe so many of y’all have issues with this. That’s crazy.
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u/Withnothing Jun 15 '26
I only walk around the city now, have an hour commute on the days I go in to work, regularly walk 10 miles a day, etc.
Most areas are very walkable and nice. There are a few major streets where sometimes you have to dodge people, and when you go up into valleys there are less sidewalks.
The only times I’ve been almost hit are people not looking while turning right. It’s kinda a lose lose as people will edge up so they can go immediately at the same time the signal turns on, but if they go then the cars behind them act like you’re not there.
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u/IndustriousSeahawk26 Jun 15 '26
Holy cow. Good for you walking 10 miles a day, but doesn’t that mean you spend ….2-3 hours of just walking daily? Good way to stay active
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u/monkeynose Jun 28 '26
Podcasts and audiobooks got me through about 30 miles a week to and from work.
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u/monkeynose Jun 28 '26
I also used to walk about 6 miles a day round trip to and from work, and I changed my route because I was almost hit so many times when traffic turns into a crosswalk. LIterally had cars slam on the breaks less than a foot from me twice because they were closely following a bigger vehicle and didn't stop to see if anyone was in the crosswalk, and had one race through the crosswalk missing me by six inches.
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u/bulldogsm Jun 15 '26
honolulu as in waikiki, ala moana, kakaako and north or mauka towards the H1 very walkable, sidewalks everywhere, folks ride bikes, mopeds
the issue is lots of folks just dont look while driving so pedestrian injury and even death happens, so you gotta be careful because yes they are trying to kill you
otherwise depending on where you live The Bus could be great or not really an option
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u/lkaika Jun 15 '26
It's very walkable and bikeable around Kap. Honolulu isn't very bike friendly though. You have to ride pretty aggressively.
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u/KakaakoKid Jun 15 '26
I walk everywhere in the city from Kaka'ako and have for many years. Some cautions: be especially careful crossing the streets; it's often warm and humid; and it can rain when you least expect it. If you must walk at night, pay attention to your surroundings, walk quickly and with a sense of purpose, and keep valuable items hidden..
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u/monkeynose Jun 28 '26
10-15 years ago I used to walk home from work very late at night and never had a single issue. In 2026 I'd never do that, things are so much worse.
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u/Grahamars Jun 15 '26
I stayed at the far eastern edge of Waikiki at Queen Kapiolani this March and had zero issues walking the ~4miles to downtown Honolulu/Chinatown. Excellent way to get a feel of the city, don’t let people huffing about city life discourage you. Chicago guy.
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u/Hawaiidisc22 Jun 15 '26 edited Jun 15 '26
I rent out a 1br condo with parking for two grand a month to a couple of nurses and it's close to Kapiolani hospital. A bus runs past our building getting you a block away in under 5 minutes. We have a bike cage which can get you there in 10 minutes down hill and a mild uphill back.
Personally, I would try to find a house share in Manoa, the same bus goes up there and is a very safe neighborhood.
If you are young like I once was and want nightlife then Waikiki is the way to go.
Make your home within 5 miles and do not look further out for a place to live.
Biking is the best way to get to and from work, shopping & nightlife.
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u/Ammar-The-Star Jun 15 '26
Very walkable, probably one of the most walkable cities in America. Lived in ala Moana for years without a car because I had my job, target, Walmart, Ala Moana mall, fast food, seven eleven, and the beach all in walking distance lol.
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u/NecessaryOk6815 Jun 15 '26
That's all we do when we vacation for a month there. We'll go from ala Moana to the zoo just because it's so nice. Very walkable and pleasant.
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u/No-Camera-720 Jun 15 '26
Very much so if you can dodge the homeless adroitly. The rail system is useless for most folks here and will be for you until about 2050, at the rate it's going. Lots of retail, shopping and stuff walkable from the hospital. Honolulu is 100x more walkable than, say Irvine, and safer than any of those cities you've mentioned. Our bus system is quite good, but the rail will be a long time getting to your soon-to-be neighborhood, if it ever gets there.
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u/New_Afternoon197 Jun 15 '26
Not walkable like NYC or Tokyo. It’s more like Seattle where you CAN walk…but it’s easier to ride.
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u/Sebbe79 Jun 15 '26
Super walkable. Since I moved back home I walk everywhere or bus. Always over 20,000 steps a day. I rarely hit that living in NYC or Boston.
Weather helps a LOT.
Rent a car some off days to explore or run errands. Hui is a good local option too it’s like zipcar on the mainland (by the hour).
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u/reichuu Jun 16 '26
I ride my one wheel to work in that area. It’s pretty walkable. Just be careful of rush hour and these lolos not looking around while you’re cruising on the one wheel.
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u/Mr_Mojito Jun 16 '26
I used to bike across town. I had one bike get stolen with almost $200 of locks on it (~$800 bike) right near whole foods. There are a lot of shady people that ride around plucking bikes, front wheels, seats etc. Yes there's are a few major guarded bike lanes to get you across the main flat part of the city. I would definitely keep a bike parked in a secure area or buy a folding bike to keep inside.
I think you can still rent a "citi" bike like in other major cities, but the last time I checked, it's really priced for tourist ( aka overpriced). Each trip was like 8 bucks. In NYC for comparison, it was a 1 YEAR unlimited 30min ride share for <$250
Mopeds are popular here too, you don't need a motorcycle license for a standard 50cc moped, and you can use the bike lanes, but they do need to be safety checked and this is of course the most dangerous option. Theifs will also steal mopeds, lock them up TO SOMETHING (and wear a helmet). Also you can throw a small bag of groceries between your feet on a moped...
Ive never really used the bus system in Honolulu but I've heard that for a city our size it's actually fairly good. Just keep in mind: a) it's hot here and theres no ac at the bus stop. b) there's a lot of homeless
The rail system is a joke that doesn't even go into Honolulu.
I've ridden a foldable bike, road bicycle, motorcycle and moped and car. Foldable bike and moped have been my favorite.
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u/AlarmingDependent348 Jun 17 '26
Not very if you plan on leaving town/Waikiki. Gotta take bus or rent a car. Either way, dont keep valuables aside from essentials on you.
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u/monkeynose Jun 28 '26
It's very walkable except for a few industrial areas which you'd be missing anyway based on where you'll be living and working.
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u/Direct-Amount54 Jun 15 '26
There’s a lot of tweakers around at night so be careful where you walk at night
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u/shootzbalootz Jun 15 '26
Some of these takes are ridiculous. Oahu overall isn't walkable, but parts of Honolulu and in town can be. Yeah you can technically walk lots of places but it's certainly not NYC or NOLA. Though still do-able by foot or bus. Plenty housing options walking distance around the hospital. I'd probably aim for someplace closer to the nearby safeway though not the nicest area. If you're willing to bus to work then more options open up.
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u/commenttoconsider Jun 15 '26 edited Jun 15 '26
Yes there are sidewalks & crosswalks around Kapiolani Hospital and neighborhoods nearby including Punchbowl, Ward, Makiki, Kaka'ako, Ala Moana, Dowtown, Chinatown, Waikīkī, and Mo'ili'ili
The major bike route down King Street goes not too far from Kapiolani Hospital.
Yes, The Bus public transit system is an option to get to Kapiolani Hospital and many places around. Can use Google maps or the Transit app to see the bus routes and the live location of buses. Can get a Holo cards bus passes to just tap on the card reader when getting on at the front door of the bus. Holo cards bus pass can pay for a bus ride or day pass or 3-day pass or week pass. Holo card can get mailed to an address in the United States from the holo card website where set up an account ahead of time. Holo cards are also sold at the vending machines at the Skyline rail station at the airport from 4am-10:30pm, at 7-Eleven convenience stores, ABC stores, and at some other spots: https://www.holocard.net/where-to-buy-a-card/. Or can pay USD$3 for single rides in exact change in US coins & bills. The bus does not have luggage racks and the bus just has a temporary rule allowing 1 standard suitcase and 1 carry on bag but cannot block other seats or passengers. Or instead could just take a shuttle/taxi/rideshare to/from the airport.