Frequently asked questions
Here you will find answers to some of the questions that we are most frequently asked. If the answer you’re looking for isn’t here, please feel free to contact us.
Parking
Q: Am I allowed to park (here) on a holiday?
A: Traffic signs on City streets which state “Except Holidays or State Holidays” indicate that the subject restrictions are not enforced on all observed State holidays. Discoverers’ or Columbus Day is not considered a State holiday.
Q: My vehicle has been towed. What do I do?
A: If your vehicle is believed to be stolen or has been towed from a City street, you should always call 911 to report or obtain information regarding the vehicle.
Q: I would like to close a park of a City street for an event I am planning. What do I do?
A: For information on obtaining street use permits, please refer to our Parade, Motorcade or Special Events Permits page.
Pedestrian
Q: Do you provide pedestrian safety presentations? If yes, whom do I contact?
A: Yes, we provide presentations to various groups, from children to seniors. Our presentation to children is about 45 minutes, while the presentation for adults is approximately 30 minutes. Generally, an officer from the Honolulu Police Department accompanies us at the adult presentations, while our own Ped Man accompanies us to the children’s presentation.
Please email or call Dustin Malama if you would like to schedule a presentation. He can be reached at dustin.malama@honolulu.gov or (808) 768-8395.
Q: Can we volunteer at your pedestrian safety booth?
A: Our department participates at many events throughout the year. We welcome volunteers who are interested in educating the public on pedestrian safety. Students (high school and college) have volunteered at our booth in order to obtain community service credit for their classes.
Please email or call Dustin if you are interested in assisting at one of our events. See his contact information above.
Q: Would your department staff a pedestrian safety booth at an upcoming event? What do you do at these events?
A: We participate at various events throughout the year, provided there is no charge for the booth space. Our budget is limited, so we are not able to participate at your event if there is a fee. We usually bring a plinko game, whereby attendees (adults) can win a safety related prize such as a blinker, flashlight and visible white bag. We provide different prizes at children’s fairs, such as squeeze flashlights, reflective shoelaces and glow-in-the dark wristbands. Prior to playing the plinko game, each attendee is educated about pedestrian safety.
Please email or call Dustin if you would like our department to host a pedestrian safety booth at your event. See his contact information above.
Bicycle
Q: Bicycle registration: Do all bicycles need to be registered? What is bicycle registration for? How can I get my bicycle registered?
A: All bicycles in the City and County of Honolulu with 20″ or larger wheels are required to be registered. There is a one-time fee of $15 and a fee of $5 when transferring ownership of a bicycle. After payment of the fee, the owner will be provided with a decal to attach to the bicycle frame’s seat tube facing the forward direction. All taxes collected from the registration fees are deposited in a special bikeway fund (Fund 140) which can only be used for bicycle-related City projects and programs. Bicycle registration provides the city with data to track the popularity of bicycle ridership and impact bikeway planning in addition to creating a way for police to track and return stolen bicycles.
When registering your bike, please have the serial number for the bike (usually located under the bottom bracket or on a rear dropout), a description of the bike (color, make, wheel size) and a bill of sale. If you do not have a bill of sale, there is an additional form to fill out.
Bicycles can be registered or transferred at Satellite City Halls, or by mail. Forms, except for the Bicycle Registration Form, are also available online. Bicycle registration is managed and administered by the Department of Customer Services (CSD). Please call (808) 768-2540 for further information.
Currently, no walk-in service is available at the Kapahulu Avenue location. Applications for bicycle registrations and transfers are being accepted by mail. Please send to:
Motor Vehicle Control / Bicycle Registration
P.O. Box 30350
Honolulu, HI 96820-0350
Telephone: (808) 768-2540
http://www.honolulu.gov/bicycle/bicycleeducation/bicycle-registration.html/
Q: How and why are bikeways created?
A: The city encourages bicycle ridership since it is a clean, low cost, healthy and space efficient mode of transportation. Bicycles are allowed on all roadways unless explicitly prohibited. Dedicated bike facilities are created to provide separation between bicyclists and motor vehicles. Bikeways such as paths and separated bike lanes allow bicyclists to ride without merging with motor vehicles. Separation allows for a wide variety of people with varying skills, purposes, and speeds to use a bicycle. Visit the Bikeway Terminology page to learn about the various types of bike facilities.
Q: Do bicyclists have to wear a helmet?
A. The State of Hawaii requires all bicyclists under 16 years of age to wear a helmet. HRS 291C-150
Q: Are bicyclists allowed to ride on the sidewalk?
A: The City and County of Honolulu prohibits bicyclists from riding on sidewalks within business districts or where prohibited. In all other areas, bicycles may be ridden on sidewalks provided the speed is 10 mph or less. The bicyclist must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians, giving an audible signal before overtaking them. ROH 15-18.7
The State of Hawaii defines business districts as “the territory contiguous to and including a highway when within any six hundred feet along such highway there are buildings in use for business or industrial purposes, including but not limited to hotels, banks, or office buildings, and public buildings which occupy at least three hundred feet of frontage on one side or three hundred feet collectively on both sides of the highway.” HRS 291C-1
TheBus
Q: How do I get from (Point A) to (Point B)?
A: You can visit TheBus website and get transit directions using the Google Transit Map Planner by entering the following information:
- Start address
- Destination address
- Date
- Time, and
- Travel preferences (leave, arrive, best route, fewer transfers, less walking)
If you do not have access to a computer, you can call TheBus Information Representatives at (808) 848-5555 who are available daily from 5:30 A.M. to 10:00 P.M. Hawaii Standard Time for route and schedule information. When calling for information, please have a pen and paper handy to write down the information. You will need to provide the following information:
- Location you are starting from
- Your intended destination
- Day and time you need to get there
Q: How can I report a problem on the bus?
A: You can fill out our Online Comments Form. Clear and complete details will be the most helpful so that we can follow up on your suggestions/recommendations. If you do not have access to a computer, you can call the DTS Public Transit Division Office at (808) 768-8396.
Q: How can I find out when the next bus is coming to my stop?
A: There are two different applications that you can use to find out when the next bus will be coming: 1) HEA Real-Time Bus Arrival or 2) DaBus. Both applications can be found on TheBus website or can be downloaded onto your smart phone.
Q: Where can I purchase multiple day bus passes?
A: The following bus passes may be purchased at the Kalihi Transit Center, located at the corner of Middle Street and Kamehameha Highway:
- Annual and Monthly Bus Passes
- Senior and DisabilityDiscountedBusPasses (passes require additional documentation, visit Senior Passes website or Disability Passes website for more information.)
Monthly Bus Passes may also be purchased at the following locations:
- Foodland Stores on Oahu
- 7-Eleven Stores
- Satellite City Halls
- UH Manoa – CampusCenter
- HawaiiPacificUniversity Book Store
- Chit Chat Store – Bishop Square
- Times Supermarkets
Q: Who should I contact regarding my suggestions/recommendations to enhance the public transit system?
A: You can visit TheBus website and fill out a comment form. Clear and complete details will be the most helpful so that TheBus can follow up on your suggestions/recommendations. If you do not have access to a computer, you can call TheBus Customer Service Office at (808) 848-4500 to speak with the customer service representative.
Q: When the Rail starts operation, will it affect TheBus routes, schedules, fares, and other related services?
A: TheBus and Rail integration process is in its earliest phase. Although details and effects on routes, schedules, fares, and other related services have not been determined at this point, the Department of Transportation Services is currently conducting studies and analysis to determine potential effects the Rail will have on existing bus operations.
Q: Are all public transit buses mobility-device accessible?
A: Yes.
Q: Can I advertise my business on TheBus?
A: Yes. For information about advertising TheBus, please contact:
Kinsen Co. Ltd.
Sky Hi Media LLC, local Hawaii representative for Kinsen Co. Ltd.
1000 Bishop Street, Suite 608
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
Phone: (808)521-0006
Email: reid@skyhimediallc.net
www.kinsen.co.jp/hawaii
Q: How do visitors get access to TheBus service information?
A: Visitors can visit TheBus website for more information, or call TheBus Information Representatives at (808) 848-5555 who are available daily from 5:30 A.M. to 10:00 P.M. Hawaii Standard Time for route and schedule information. In addition, many hotel concierge desks have visitor-oriented information on TheBus.
Q: I am interested in a public transit career. How do I find out about your job openings and where do I send my application?
A: You can visit TheBus website for detailed information and instructions on how to apply for a position with TheBus.
Q: Are there any future plans of TheBus to further improve its service?
A: TheBus continuously strives to improve the service it provides to the general public and appreciates hearing recommendations and suggestions from its customers.
Q: How can I get from the airport to my hotel in Waikiki by TheBus? Will bringing my luggage on the bus with me be a problem?
A: Routes 19, 20, and 31 have stops at the Honolulu International Airport terminals. Routes 19 and 20 travel from the airport to Ala Moana Center and on into Waikiki. Route 31 travels from the airport to Kalihi Transit Center where riders can transfer to many other bus routes. Bags and other carry-on items that can be stored under the passenger’s seat or on the passenger’s lap are welcome. No bags or carry-on items are allowed on the seats or in the aisle.
Q: How can I request to have a bus stop installed/removed/relocated?
A: You can contact the Department of Transportation Services at thebusstop@honolulu.gov or call 768-8396.
TheHandi-Van Eligibility
Q: If I’m currently eligible to ride TheHandi-Van, do I still have to go through the In-Person Assessment when I renew my card?
A: Yes, all applicants for TheHandi-Van will be required to undergo an In-Person Assessment. For current users of TheHandi-Van, In-Person Assessments will be required at the time of their eligibility renewal.
Q: Do I still have to go through the In-Person Assessment if my doctor writes a letter saying I need to use TheHandi-Van?
A: Yes, an In-Person Assessment will be required because the Assessments are replacing the paper application and doctor’s/health care professional’s Certification of Eligibility. However, applicants may submit any information provided by their doctor or health care professional for consideration as part of their Assessment.
Q: How much will the In-Person Assessment cost me?
A: The In-Person Assessment will be free for all applicants for TheHandi-Van service.
Q: Who is going to do the Assessments?
A: Interviews and functional assessments will be conducted by highly qualified professionals who specialize in the needed type of assessment. A customer will only be asked to participate in functional assessments as needed.
Q: How do I arrange for an In-Person Assessment?
A: Applicants must call 538-0033 to schedule their appointment for an In-Person Assessment, which will be conducted at TheHandi-Van Eligibility Center located at The First Insurance Center, 1100 Ward Avenue, Suite 835, Honolulu, Hawaii 96814. The Center operates Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Q: If I need help, can I bring someone with me to the In-Person Assessment?
A: Yes, applicants may bring someone to help them at the Assessment interview.
Q: How long will the In-Person Assessment take?
A: In-Person Assessment interviews will usually take no more than an hour. However, if a functional assessment is also determined to be required, the entire interview could take about two hours.
Q: Do I need to bring anything to the In-Person Assessment?
A: Yes, you may need to bring supplemental information to the In-Person Assessment. A complete list can be obtained at the time you call to schedule your appointment, and is also available in TheHandi-Van Eligibility Information.
Q: Once I go through the Assessment, how long will it take to find out if I’m eligible to use TheHandi-Van service? How will I be notified?
A: Eligibility determinations will be made within 21 days of completion of the assessment process; otherwise you will be deemed “presumptively” eligible for service until notified. Notification of final eligibility determination for all applicants will be by letter fromTheHandi-Van Eligibility Center.
Q: If I don’t agree with the decision regarding my eligibility, can I appeal?
A: Yes. TheHandi-Van ADA eligibility process already includes an appeals process with an appeals panel comprised of representatives from social service agencies that serve people with disabilities. This same appeals process will remain in effect.