LIHU‘E — The county Office of Economic Development announced the launch of a new website aimed at informing both visitors and residents of various transportation options available on Kaua‘i.
GetAroundKauai.com was created in response to the current rental-car shortage on Kaua‘i, but has a broader goal of providing people with the resources they need to make more-sustainable transportation choices.
OED, in collaboration with the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority, set out to implement actions in the Kaua‘i Destination Management Action Plan, specifically those to reduce traffic and develop education materials.
Visitors to Kaua‘i often rely on a rental car as their primary mode of transportation. With the current shortage of rental cars, many visitors are now seeking alternative modes of travel. Up until recently, the transportation options were limited, and there was no central place to find them.
This new website will be regularly managed, updated and improved as more transportation options become available.
“During the pandemic, our residents were given a glimpse of what life is like without the influx of cars on our roads, and there’s no denying how much traffic had improved,” Mayor Derek Kawakami said in a press release.
“As we continue to recover, we see the opportunity to do better in managing visitor impact, and that includes implementing transportation-mode change on our island.”
The intent of this new website is to show visitors they can navigate Kaua‘i without renting a personal vehicle for every day of their trip, and it will continue to be improved for residents who are exploring other modes of travel as well.
“Our goal is that this new website will serve as a resource to connect travelers with transportation alternatives, such as airport shuttles, ride-shares and bike rentals,” said Nalani Brun, OED director. “This rental-car crisis can become an opportunity for us to shift away from the mindset that the only way to get around Kaua‘i is with a personal vehicle.”
The website includes an overview of transportation options, a map with Kaua‘i bus stops and routes, regional walking guides and other tips on how to get around Kaua‘i without a car.
Weekly blog posts will educate readers on transportation-related topics, such as how to reserve an airport shuttle, parking permit requirements for Koke‘e State Park, and details regarding the Hanalei access schedule.
The website also includes a section on “How to Travel with Aloha,” which provides tips and recommendations from a local perspective.
“Educating visitors about traveling responsibly is key to addressing tourism’s impacts and enhancing the well-being of Kaua‘i’s communities,” said John De Fries, HTA president and CEO. “We encourage travelers to utilize this comprehensive website when planning their trips, and are sharing it widely with our Global Marketing Team and visitor-industry partners to amplify the information.”
