Expert: John - 6/26/2004

Question
-Dear John,
   Thanks for the information, I am wondering if you know where parking is the most reasonable around the waikiki area.  How do I go about finding parking?  My hotel does not have parking available. Jean------------------------
Followup To
Question -
Hi,
I am wondering if thebus is really a good way to see Oahu.  I am having second thoughts about it and we leave in 2 weeks. I have been told that it is the best way to travel and that it is not, and am getting confused.  I have heard that a big problem with rental cars is that it is hard and expensive to park, and that it is very difficult to find them around Waikiki. We have already booked travel from the airport, and I was thinking that it might be OK to book a car for part of the time we are there.  I know that I am not going to want to spend alot of time around our hotel due to the crowds and I want to spend a good share of the time on the other coasts.  Any information that you could provide would be greatly appreciated.  I'm a little concerned that alot of the time will be spent in travel on the bus, and that a car would be faster.  The other thing that I wonder about is if thebus really takes you to the different beaches etc or if you guess where to be let off and have to walk to where you want to go.  Thank you Jean
Answer -
In a word, yes, it's a good way to get around, especially in the urban Honolulu area.

Parking is expensive right in Waikiki, but cars themselves are easy to get.  All the major companies are represented at the airport, and there are many right in Waikiki as well.

Personally, I would rent a car for any of the following activities:  Snorkeling at Hanauma Bay (don't want to ride dripping wet), visiting the Polynesian Cultural Center (buses don't run all that often in that area), and driving around the island (you can stop where you want for as long as you want.

What you might want to do, is take the bus ride around the island, make note of things that look interesting to you, and visit them when you have your own wheels.

TheBus would be best for: visits to the USS Arizona/USS Missouri/USS Bowfin/Pearl Harbor area, the Aloha Stadium Flea Market, out to Diamond Head, or things in the urban area.

TheBus has bus stops right at most of the rural beaches except Hanauma Bay (it drops you on the highway, which leaves about a 3/4 mile walk just to the parking lot), and no stops anywhere along Waikiki Beach.

The time factor is a tradeoff - how much are YOU willing to pay to rent a car just to avoid a bus ride.  Keep in mind that a lot of local people ride the bus, and you might be able to get some valuable information from them about where to go, and just as importantly, where NOT to go!

Anywhere right in Waikiki, walking is the best way to get around.

TheBus's web site is www.thebus.org

Answer
Are you sure about your hotel?  Most have at least an arrangement with a private firm for guest parking.  It might be worth a call to find out.

If they actually don't have parking, and you are anywhere in the west end of Waikiki, you might find the Ft. DeRussy parking area convenient.  It's open parking, and you should be able to get discounts if you purchase more than just one day.  If you are affiliated with the military, the rate is even better.  The lot is owned by the Hale Koa Hotel, the Army morale hotel, but the lot is open to the public.  It's where we park when we venture down to Waikiki Beach.

Other than that, there is no reasonable parking in Waikiki.