There are so many great transportation options available to students to and from campus, as well as around the island!

The Rainbow Shuttle is a free service funded solely by UH Mānoa Commuter Services. The purpose of the Rainbow Shuttle is to provide frequent access to the UH Mānoa campus for UH Mānoa students, faculty, staff, and affiliates through routes that are not serviced through similar public means of transportation. The shuttles are air conditioned and can seat up to 28 passengers! I lived off campus my Junior year and would often take the Rainbow Shuttle. One of the stops were right across the street of my apartment and it was so convenient as I would be dropped off closer to my classes, versus when I would take the bus. For more information, visit: http://manoa.hawaii.edu/commuter/rainbow-shuttle/

 

TheBus (city bus) is one of the most convenient and economical ways not only to get to and from campus, but around the island as well! Regular day students at UH Mānoa who have paid their student fees, qualify for unlimited free bus fare during the Fall and Spring semesters through the U-Pass program. A U-Pass sticker is available with the presentation of your student ID card at the Ticket, Information & ID Office at Campus Center. The bus has been my main mode of transportation, and I’ve had many crazy and fun experiences on it. From getting groceries – having to lug all the grocery bags on the bus and hurry so my ice cream wouldn’t melt, to taking 1 hour long bus rides to and from church on the weekends, many rides to Ala Moana Center, and even trekking all the way to the North Shore for the day with my friends, the bus has made possible a lot of great memories I created in my Junior year.

Biki bikes are another option, with 6 Biki stops installed on campus as well as Biki stops off campus. This is a more sustainable transportation option – good for when a destination may be too far to walk, but too close to drive. Simply check out a Biki bike at over 100 solar-powered Biki Stops, ride to your destination, and dock your bike at a nearby Biki Stop. I once tried Biki biking from my apartment to campus, and oh my, the incline on University Ave doesn’t look very steep, but it was killer!

Aside from driving to school in a car, mopeds (and motorcycles) are a huge method of transportation for many students! You’ll see friends catching ride with other friends on their mopeds and moped parking spots on campus filled everyday. For moped registration information, visit: http://manoa.hawaii.edu/commuter/2017/01/06/moped-registration/

The common Uber/Lyft are also other modes of transportation. I’ve taken both a couple times, but would rather trade in the time to take the bus. However, it’s all one’s preference.

For parents/families who may be worrying about how your loved one will be able to get around, don’t worry because there are so many options available!