HANALEI — The Hanalei Initiative announced Wednesday the launch of the Kauai North Shore Shuttle. It will begin running with the reopening of Kuhio Highway to the general public.
The highway beyond Hanalei is set to reopen without restrictions 5 a.m. Monday, according to the Hawaii Department of Transportation.
The shuttle will offer service for residents and visitors from Princeville and Waipa to Haena State Park and back, with stops in between.
“The April 2018 flood gave the North Shore communities an amazing opportunity to rethink and redesign systems to manage visitor traffic to preserve our natural resources and improve the quality of life for our residents,” said Joel Guy, executive director of The Hanalei Initiative. “The development and launch of the Kauai North Shore Shuttle is one component towards that effort.”
Riders entering Haena State Park will need to make a round-trip reservation at kauaiNSshuttle.com. The reservation site will go live Monday.
An introductory $11 roundtrip fare includes a reserved seat at an appointed time and place of departure, the ability to get on and off at all stops (with an included Hop-On day pass) and entry to Haena State Park.
Visitors staying in Princeville will depart from the Princeville Makai Golf Club shuttle transfer station. These riders should consider options to be transferred to and from PMGC as there is limited paid parking.
Visitors staying elsewhere on Kauai will depart from the Waipa Park &Ride (past Hanalei Town) which will provide free parking.
Riders with reservations — who are boarding the shuttle at their appointed time and location — will be accommodated first, followed by other first-come first-serve Hop-On pass riders.
A Hop-On pass alone does not allow a visitor to enter Haena State Park — a reservation ticket for park entry is required for all visitors.
However, Hawaii residents can use a Hop-On pass and their Hawaii ID for entry to Haena State Park. It is recommended that state residents purchase a full fare reservation ticket to ensure a seat at a selected time, according to a press release.
The shuttle operator contract has been awarded to Polynesian Adventure Tours and the ticketing/reservations system is powered by SmartStubs.
Nonresidents planning to access the area after restrictions are lifted are reminded that a “no parking” zone has been established between Haena Place and Kee Beach. Parking along Kuhio Highway in this zone could result in fines of $200 plus an additional $200 surcharge.
Access to Haena State Park is by reservation. Info: www.hanaleiinitiative.org
