Updated October 23, 2026: Reviewed current route index. Removed discontinued Route 20 instructions, corrected Route 23 and Route 65 descriptions, removed peak-only route reliance and unsupported short-walk guidance, and refreshed official references.
Key takeaways
- These 15 stops combine easy transfers, big sights, and food finds without a car.
- Use your HOLO day cap and check real time arrivals on HEA before you move to the next stop.
- Airport to Waikiki now has the new W Line Zoom bus linking the Lelepaua Airport Skyline Station with Downtown, Ala Moana, and Waikiki.
- Pair this list with our pillar guide, HOLO how to, and Airport to Waikiki comparison for the smoothest day.
Niko’s Note 🐾 Screenshot your route page before you go underground in malls or museums so you can keep moving even if service blips.
How we picked these stops
We focused on places that are simple to reach on TheBus using current route corridors, including longer journeys where service and walking access need more planning. Each listing includes a short “why,” the useful routes, and an official link so you can verify hours or any special rules. Use HEA live arrivals at hea.thebus.org and the system map PDF to plan connections. For route pages and timetables, start at Routes and Timetables.The list
1) Ala Moana Center , Kona Street bus bays
Why get off: A major transfer hub with food courts, restrooms, and shade. Perfect reset point between town, Windward, and North Shore routes. Useful routes: Route 8 links Waikiki and Ala Moana; routes 52, 60, 65, and 67 serve longer corridors from the Ala Moana area. Boarding bays vary by route. See the official System Map and Routes and Timetables. Tip: Match the exact boarding bay and direction to your route; Ala Moana stops are spread across several streets.2) Kapi‘olani Park and Honolulu Zoo
Why get off: Green space, shade, and quick access to the Honolulu Zoo and Waikiki shoreline. Useful routes: From Waikiki, board on Kalākaua, Monsarrat, or Kuhio. Visitor guide lists options on this page. Plan your visit: Honolulu Zoo.3) Chinatown and Arts District , Hotel Street mall
Why get off: Markets, lei stands, galleries, and historic architecture. Useful routes: Multiple lines serve Hotel Street. See TheBus Visitor Guide for where to board in Waikiki and which lines run Downtown. Nearby: Aloha Tower and HPU at Aloha Tower Marketplace.4) ‘Iolani Palace and Capitol District
Why get off: Hawaii’s royal palace, Kamehameha statue, State Capitol, and mission houses in one compact walk. Useful routes: Check current Route 2, 2L, 13, 42, E, and W Line stops for the side of the district you want per Visitor Guide. Plan your visit: ‘Iolani Palace official directions.5) Honolulu Museum of Art (HoMA)
Why get off: A world class collection, cool courtyards, and a great café. Useful routes: Route 2 along South Beretania and King. See Visitor Guide and TheBus current route index. Plan your visit: HoMA hours and info.6) Bishop Museum , Kalihi
Why get off: Deep dive into Hawai‘i science and culture exhibits. Useful routes: Route 2 from Waikiki per Visitor Guide. Plan your visit: Bishop Museum.7) Pearl Harbor Visitor Center , Arizona Memorial
Why get off: One of the most important places on O‘ahu. Visitor center, USS Arizona Memorial programs, and other historic sites. Useful routes: Route 42 includes Arizona Memorial trips. Use the current Route 42 timetable and verify the selected trip and stop before boarding. Route 20 has been discontinued. Plan your visit: NPS Pearl Harbor info and Historic Sites overview.8) Lelepaua Airport Skyline Station , W Line Airport to Waikiki
Why get off: Fast Zoom bus to Downtown, Ala Moana, and Waikiki with an easy transfer to Skyline for points west. Useful routes: W Line Airport, Waikiki replaces Route 20. See Routes and Timetables notice and HNL Airport “The Bus and Skyline” page for span and headways. Tip: If you arrive late, Route 42 also serves the airport at night per the airport page above.9) Koko Marina Center , Koko Head area
Why get off: Snacks and restrooms before tackling Koko Head Crater Stairs or the coast walk. Useful routes: 23 and 1L stop within a short walk. See TheBus current route index. Note: Expect a 10 to 20 minute walk from the nearest stops to the trailhead.10) Sea Life Park , Makapu‘u coastline
Why get off: Sea Life Park and coastal views. Do not treat the nearby Makapuu Lighthouse Trail as a short bus-stop walk. This guide does not establish a safe pedestrian connection along the highway to its trailhead. Useful routes: Route 23 currently runs from Kahala Mall to Hawaii Kai and Sea Life Park, with trip variants. From Waikiki, plan the connection to Kahala rather than expecting a one-seat Route 23 ride. Use the current Route 23 timetable. Plan your visit: Sea Life Park tickets and hours.11) Kapi‘olani Community College , Diamond Head side
Why get off: KCC Farmers’ Market on select mornings and access to the outside of Diamond Head State Monument area. Useful routes: 2 and 200 serve this side of the park per Visitor Guide. Tip: The crater interior has limited access. Check Hawai‘i State Parks for rules and hours.12) Kailua Town , Gateway to Kailua Beach
Why get off: Stock up in town, then take a short shuttle or walk to the beach. Useful routes: 67 Honolulu, Kailua, Waimānalo per Route 67 timetable. Local shuttle 671 Kailua, Lanikai per Route 671 page. Beach stop reference: TheBus current route index.13) Byodo‑In Temple , Valley of the Temples
Why get off: Serene gardens and a scale replica of Japan’s Byodo‑In. Useful routes: Route 65 runs between Honolulu/Ala Moana and Kaneohe/Ahuimanu. Check the current Route 65 timetable, the exact stop, and the temple’s access instructions. This is not a curbside temple drop-off; include the walk inside the grounds. Plan your visit: Byodo‑In Temple.14) Hale‘iwa Town , Weed Circle
Why get off: Food trucks, surf shops, and the gateway to North Shore beaches. Useful routes: 60 Honolulu, Kaneohe, Hale‘iwa per Route 60 timetable and TheBus current route index. Live arrivals: Check the HEA stop for Weed Circle area.15) Waimea Bay Beach Park
Why get off: One of O‘ahu’s iconic beaches with winter surf and summer swim days. Useful routes: Use the current Route 60 timetable to identify the stop and direction near Waimea Valley Road. Do not build the day around a peak-only route. Know before you go: Facilities and crowding change with surf conditions. Follow lifeguard advice and posted warnings. Stay out when conditions are unsafe, including when the water looks calmer between sets.Bonus: Kualoa Regional Park for Kualoa Ranch
If you are booked for a Kualoa Ranch tour, the most affordable public option is Route 60 along Kamehameha Highway. Confirm the correct stop and pedestrian entrance with the ranch before traveling. Kamehameha Highway requires care; a stop across the road does not establish a safe crossing. Official directions: Kualoa Ranch “Contact and Directions”. Live arrivals near the park: HEA stop 2457. Route reference: Route 60 PDF and Visitor Guide note.Niko’s Note: North Shore rides are long. Bring water, sun protection, and a snack. Use the day cap on HOLO to hop off without stressing the budget.
Tools you will use during the day
- HEA real time arrivals: hea.thebus.org
- Routes and Timetables index: thebus.org/route/routes.asp
- Current system map: Current system map
- Airport W Line info and late night 42: HNL Airport page
Interlinks to keep readers moving
- Hub: O‘ahu Hub
- Pillar: Oahu by Bus 2026 Guide… routes, times, HOLO tips
- Related: HOLO Card for Visitors… where to buy, how to top up
- Related: Honolulu Airport to Waikiki… bus vs rideshare
- Related: North Shore by Bus… realistic day plan
FAQ
Do I need reservations for Pearl Harbor? Reservations are strongly recommended for the free USS Arizona Memorial boat program, with a $1 booking fee. Limited standby may be available but is not guaranteed. Follow recreation.gov linked via NPS. Is there a direct bus to Diamond Head crater interior? No. Use stops around Kapi‘olani Park or KCC and walk. Check Hawai‘i State Parks for current access instructions. What is the current Waikiki to Airport bus? The W Line Airport, Waikiki Zoom bus replaced Route 20 in October 2025. See the official Routes and Timetables notice and the airport’s The Bus and Skyline page. Can I reach Kailua Beach without a car? Yes. Take 67 to Kailua Town, then transfer to 671 for Lanikai and the beach area per the 671 route page and TheBus current route index.Sources and official references
- TheBus Routes and Timetables index and System Map PDF
- HNL Airport The Bus and Skyline
- TheBus route PDFs: 23 East O‘ahu, 60 Honolulu, Kaneohe, Hale‘iwa, 65 Honolulu, Kaneohe, Ahuimanu, 67 Honolulu, Kailua, Waimānalo, 671 Kailua, Lanikai
- Visitor attractions: ‘Iolani Palace, Honolulu Museum of Art, Bishop Museum, Sea Life Park, NPS Pearl Harbor
- Live arrivals: HEA website
Accurate as of October 2026.
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