WHEELS, HEELS & AUTOMOBILES Making the most of transportation options on the North Shore BY GREG ERICKSON AND ELLE LARSON
Walk The oldest and most independent mode of transportation can sometimes be the best. If you are headed to the beach, shopping center or anywhere else in Laie, walking will get the job done. The shopping center, where you can buy groceries, a great burger, ice cream and even hardware, is only a convenient half-mile away from campus. The Polynesian Cultural Center and beach access points are also a short walk east of campus, and, heading west, the Laie Hawaii Temple is only a few steps from home. There is a bike path parallel to Kamehameha Highway between Laie and Kahuku that is good for walking or running, too. The path is 3 miles round-trip with picturesque views of the mountains and open fields near Laie.
Bus
Drive There are several ways to drive around on Oahu, even if you don’t own a car. Look for a car to buy on Craigslist or the Buy/Sell @ North Shore Community and BYUH Facebook page. If you’re not looking to make a big investment, the Facebook page is a good place to find students willing to carpool or rent their car out for the day. For a luxurious ride, you can rent cars through a private company with your friends too.
Board Longboards and skateboards are great for navigating around campus and fun to ride. You will see many students, some teachers and even the University president longboarding around campus. However, don’t ride them on sidewalks. Use the bike lane on the street.
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For only $5.50, you can get a day pass for TheBus, ranked one of the best public transit systems in the US by Redfin. To pay for a fare, you must get a Holo Card from Foodland’s help desk and register for a Holo Card online at holocard.net.You can load your Holo Card with money online. Frequent bus stops line Kamehameha Highway, including nearby stops at Foodland, temple beach, the PCC and McDonald’s. The bus comes about every hour and can take you almost anywhere on the island. Use the DaBus2 app, Google Maps or thebus.org to find nearby bus stops and arrival times. Travel time will vary depending on your final destination, but a one-way trip to Waikiki takes about two hours.
Bike Even though bikes are generally quicker than walking, they require frequent maintenance on the North Shore. The salty humidity, rain and winds of Oahu can rapidly rust bikes, and loose gravel can leave you looking for a replacement tube. Don’t let that stop you from getting some wheels, though! Ace Hardware in the Laie Shopping Center has everything you need to keep your bike in working condition. You can also sign up with SWATT Global at BYUH by going on their Facebook page to schedule a time to learn how to fix your bike at their free bike shop. For 3 hours of service, you can even get a bike for free (if they have enough parts). A lock or chain is a must, as bike theft is common on campus and in the community. Even if you are just going inside for a few minutes, make sure to lock your bike. There is a counter-flow bike lane on campus and several bike lanes around Laie. Bikes are not allowed on sidewalks, so only ride your bike on the street.
