Hawaii Hele-On Bus Schedule: Routes, Times & Stops
Looking for the Hawaii Hele-On bus schedule? Hele-On is the public transportation network operated by the County of Hawaiʻi Mass Transit Agency on Hawaiʻi Island, also known as the Big Island.
Find current routes connecting Hilo, Kailua-Kona, Pāhoa, Waimea, Waikoloa, Volcano, Ocean View and North Kohala, along with actual departure times, stop locations, airport connections, live tracking, fares, and helpful travel instructions.
Good news: Hele-On fixed-route bus rides are free for all passengers through December 31, 2028, under the county’s published fare policy.
Where to Find the Current Hele-On Bus Schedule
The official Hele-On Bus Schedules and Maps page provides the route-specific timetables for Hawaiʻi Island. Many schedules are effective February 1, 2026, while Routes 90, 201, 204 and 76 have newer effective dates of July 12, 2026.
Hele-On Bus Routes: Hilo, Kona, Puna, Kohala and Volcano
The county’s current timetable directory groups 22 fixed and flex routes into East Hawaiʻi, West Hawaiʻi and North Hawaiʻi service areas. Route coverage differs significantly between local circulators, long-distance intercity buses and request-based flex services.
East Hawaiʻi Routes
Hilo – Kailua-Kona
Long-distance cross-island connection serving communities along the Hāmākua and northern island corridors.
Route 1 timetable →Blue Line: Hilo – Kona
Hilo, Saddle Road/Highway 200, Waikoloa resorts, Kona Airport and Kailua-Kona.
Route 2 timetable →Hilo – Ocean View
Hilo, Volcano, Pāhala, Punaluʻu, Nā‘ālehu and Ocean View. No Sunday or holiday service in the published timetable.
Route 10 timetable →Red Line: Hilo – Volcano
Connects Hilo with Volcano Village and Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.
Route 11 timetable →Volcano – Ocean View
Flex-route connection between Volcano and Ocean View. Confirm its request procedures and specific trips before travel.
Hilo – Pāhoa
Serves Hilo, Prince Kūhiō Plaza, Keaʻau, and the Pāhoa/Puna area.
Route 40 timetable →Hilo – South Kohala Resorts
Longer-distance service linking East Hawaiʻi with South Kohala resort areas. Some airport-serving trips are listed separately.
Keaukaha / Hilo Airport
Local Hilo service linking Moʻoheau Bus Terminal, Banyan Drive, Hilo International Airport and Keaukaha.
Route 101 timetable →Kaumana
Local Hilo bus route serving Kaumana-area neighborhoods and connections.
Waiākea Uka
Local service covering Waiākea Uka and other Hilo-area destinations.
Mohouli
Hilo local route serving Mohouli and connecting community destinations.
Hawaiian Beaches / Nanawale / Seaview
Puna-area service with connections toward Pāhoa and surrounding subdivisions.
Hawaiian Paradise Park / Hawaiian Acres / ʻĀinaloa
Community route covering residential areas in the Puna region.
Fern Acres / Fern Forest / Eden Roc
Flex service with special reservation arrangements for eligible off-route pickup requests.
West Hawaiʻi Routes
Pāhala – South Kohala Resorts
Long-distance service via Ocean View, South Kona, Kailua-Kona and resort areas.
Schedule effective: July 12, 2026.
Route 90 timetable →Kailua-Kona via Aliʻi Drive
Local Kona coastal route between Loloku Park & Ride and Keauhou Shopping Center.
Schedule effective: July 12, 2026.
Route 201 timetable →North & Central Kailua-Kona
Local service covering Loloku, central Kona, north Kona and the airport corridor.
Schedule effective: February 1, 2026.
Route 202 timetable →South Kona / Captain Cook
Links Kailua-Kona-area stops with South Kona and Captain Cook communities.
Schedule effective: July 12, 2026.
North Hawaiʻi Routes
Hilo – Honokaʻa – Kona
Intercity connection through Waimea and North Hawaiʻi, with flex-service provisions.
North Kohala – Waimea – Kona
Serves North Kohala, Waimea, South Kohala resorts, Kona Airport and Kailua-Kona.
Green Line: Honokaʻa – Kona
Connects Honokaʻa and Kailua-Kona through designated northern and western island stops.
Schedule effective: July 12, 2026.
Waimea Circulator
Local Waimea flexible transit service with scheduled and request-based coverage.
See all current official Hele-On routes, timetables and downloadable PDFs →
Hele-On Bus Departure Times and Scheduled Travel Durations
These are selected published timepoint examples from the county’s current 2026 schedules. They are useful for understanding how service is timed, but they do not replace the full route table or live arrival information.
| Route / Direction | Origin / Stop ID | Scheduled departure | Destination / Scheduled arrival | Scheduled duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 Blue Line — Hilo to Kona | Moʻoheau Terminal #100 | 5:02 AM | Loloku Park & Ride #606 — 8:00 AM | 2 hr 58 min |
| 2 Blue Line — Hilo to Kona Airport | Moʻoheau Terminal #100 | 5:02 AM | Kona Airport #622 — 7:34 AM | 2 hr 32 min |
| 2 Blue Line — Kona to Hilo | Loloku Park & Ride #606 | 1:30 PM | Moʻoheau Terminal #100 — 4:35 PM | 3 hr 5 min |
| 11 Red Line — Hilo to Volcano | Moʻoheau Terminal #100 | 7:40 AM | Check the Volcano Visitor Center timepoint in the same trip column | See official Route 11 table |
| 40 — Hilo to Pāhoa | Moʻoheau Terminal #100 | 6:30 AM | Prince Kūhiō Plaza #110 — 6:42 AM | 12 min to this timepoint |
| 101 — Hilo Airport | Moʻoheau Terminal #100 | 6:15 AM | Hilo Airport #112 — 6:32 AM | 17 min |
| 201 — Aliʻi Drive | Loloku Park & Ride #606 | 6:00 AM | Palani Road / Aliʻi Drive #650 — 6:12 AM | 12 min to this timepoint |
| 202 — Central Kona | Loloku Park & Ride #606 | 6:00 AM | Keahuolu Courthouse #604 — 6:07 AM | 7 min to this timepoint |
| 90 — Pāhala northbound | Pāhala Shopping Center #808 | 3:30 AM | Ocean View Park & Ride #802 — 4:14 AM | 44 min to this timepoint |
Hele-On Bus Frequency: Frequent Local vs Long-Distance Service
Hele-On is not a uniform every-15-minute bus network. The local Kona routes have recurring departures, while many long-distance connections offer only a few trips per day.
Departures approximately every 30 minutes from the listed Loloku timepoint during the published service window.
Hourly departures from Loloku Park & Ride in the July 2026 timetable.
Selected Hilo departures occur two hours apart in the published southbound table.
Limited cross-island trips; not an hourly service. Plan both outward and return journeys.
Hilo Hele-On Bus Schedule: Routes 101, 102, 103, 104 and 40
For travel within Hilo, begin with Moʻoheau Bus Terminal and the local route map. The Keaukaha, Kaumana, Waiākea Uka and Mohouli services provide access to different neighborhoods, while Route 40 connects Hilo with Pāhoa.
Route 101 — Keaukaha / Airport
Monday–Saturday example: the official timetable lists departures from Moʻoheau Bus Terminal every hour at 6:15, 7:15, 8:15 AM and subsequent hourly departures through 7:15 PM.
The corresponding Hilo Airport timepoint is 17 minutes after those listed Downtown departures.
Route 40 — Hilo to Pāhoa
The current southbound timetable lists Downtown departures at 6:30, 8:30, 10:30 AM; 12:30, 2:30, 4:30, 6:30 and 8:30 PM.
The Route 40 timetable includes selected request-only service to the W.H. Shipman Industrial Park stop.
For Hilo neighborhood routes 102, 103 and 104, use the official individual schedules rather than assuming that all three operate at the same frequency or serve the same streets.
Kona Hele-On Bus Schedule: Aliʻi Drive, Central Kona and South Kona
Visitors and residents in Kailua-Kona frequently search for the Kona trolley or Aliʻi Drive bus. Under the current Hele-On network, Route 201 is the Aliʻi Drive route, while Route 202 serves central and northern Kailua-Kona.
Aliʻi Drive / Keauhou
Route 201 connects Loloku Street Park & Ride with Keauhou Shopping Center.
Published July 2026 schedule: hourly departures from Loloku at 6:00 AM, 7:00 AM, 8:00 AM and so on through 9:00 PM.
Important boarding rule: buses stop at designated Hele-On stops only along Aliʻi Drive. Flag stops are not permitted there.
North & Central Kona
Route 202 serves areas around Loloku, Keahuolu and other central/north Kona destinations, including airport-related connections identified by the county.
Published February 2026 schedule: departures from Loloku at 6:00, 6:30, 7:00, 7:30 AM, continuing on a half-hour pattern during the listed service window.
Check the exact trip’s stop list before assuming every trip serves your chosen airport or neighborhood stop.
Route 201 — Selected Aliʻi Drive Timepoints
| Stop | Stop ID | First listed example | Following example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loloku Park & Ride | 606 | 6:00 AM | 7:00 AM |
| Palani Road / Kona Coast Shopping Center | 602 | 6:10 AM | 7:10 AM |
| Palani Road / Aliʻi Drive | 650 | 6:12 AM | 7:12 AM |
These are southbound examples for Route 201 effective July 12, 2026. For a return trip from Keauhou or an intermediate Aliʻi Drive stop, use the direction-specific official schedule rather than reversing the times.
Hele-On Bus to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
For trips from Hilo to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, check Route 11 Red Line. Route 10 also serves the Volcano corridor on its longer journey between Hilo and Ocean View, but the two routes have different trip patterns and service restrictions.
Hilo to Volcano — Red Line
The February 2026 southbound timetable lists departures from Moʻoheau Terminal at:
5:00 AM — Monday–Friday only.
7:40 AM, 10:40 AM, 1:40 PM and 4:40 PM — additional published trips.
Verify the park arrival and return trip in the same timetable.
Hilo – Volcano – Ocean View
This longer route passes through Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, Volcano Village, Pāhala and Punaluʻu areas.
Critical restriction: the current Route 10 page says no Sunday or holiday service.
It should not be used as a substitute for Route 11 without checking the actual day and direction.
Plan the return first. A visitor who takes a morning bus to Volcano may not have frequent or late return service. Check your entire outing, the park’s current access conditions and sunset times before leaving Hilo.
Hilo and Kona Airport Hele-On Bus Routes
Hele-On serves both main commercial airports on Hawaiʻi Island. The appropriate route depends on whether you are flying into Hilo International Airport (ITO) or Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keāhole (KOA).
Hilo International Airport (ITO)
Primary route: 101 Keaukaha.
Published stop: Airport Road at Hilo International Airport, stop #112.
Selected departure: Moʻoheau Terminal #100 at 6:15 AM, airport stop #112 at 6:32 AM.
Airport boarding: the county describes the bus stop as between the airport restaurant and the helicopter service counter.
Kona International Airport (KOA)
The county lists airport service from Routes 2, 60, 75, 90 and 202, plus selected Route 80 trips.
Selected Route 2 trip: Hilo Moʻoheau #100 at 5:02 AM, Kona Airport #622 at 7:34 AM.
Airport boarding: the designated stop is on the center island near the rideshare pickup location, across from the Hawaiian Airlines/TSA check-in area.
Getting Between Hilo Airport and Kona Airport
Locate the Route 101 Keaukaha stop.
Continue to Moʻoheau Bus Terminal.
Choose an available Route 2 Blue Line trip.
Check the scheduled trip serving Kona Airport.
Arrive at the designated airport stop.
See the county’s official ITO, KOA and Waimea-Kohala Airport bus guidance →
Is Hele-On Bus Free in 2026?
Yes. According to the Hawaiʻi County Mass Transit Agency, Hele-On fixed-route and commuter bus service remains fare-free for all passengers through December 31, 2028.
No regular fixed-route fare under the published policy.
The free-bus policy applies regardless of ordinary age-based fare category.
The county also identifies Kakoʻo paratransit as fare-free, subject to its eligibility and reservation procedures.
Verify current Hele-On fares and special charges directly with Hawaiʻi County →
Hele-On Bus Map: Major Terminals and Transfer Locations
Hele-On covers a large island. Long-distance routes meet at major terminals, while local routes connect shopping centers, neighborhoods, airport stops and resort areas.
329 Kamehameha Avenue, Hilo. A major connection point for East Hawaiʻi and intercity services.
Ohuohu Street near Macy’s Men, Children & Home. Useful for Hilo-area routes and transfers.
15-2714 Pāhoa Village Road. Important for Puna connections.
Loloku Street near Maʻa Way. Key Kona hub for local and intercity routes.
78-6831 Aliʻi Drive, near the Regal movie theater. Important south Kona Route 201 destination.
69-425 Waikoloa Beach Drive. A published major timepoint for selected west/north island services.
Example: Moʻoheau Bus Terminal
This central Hilo terminal is a practical starting point for trips to Pāhoa, Kona, Volcano and other East Hawaiʻi destinations.
Before walking, verify that your chosen route boards at the terminal rather than at a nearby Bayfront or temporary park-and-ride stop.
Google Maps can help locate your walking route and show possible transit trips. For detailed instructions, our guide to checking bus stops and departures in Google Maps explains how to compare stops, directions and suggested arrival times.
Open official Hele-On downloadable route maps and stop schedules →
How to Track a Hele-On Bus in Real Time
Hele-On provides online live bus maps and arrival predictions. The county also promotes Moovit as a bus-tracking tool. Predicted arrivals depend on available vehicle data and may differ from the printed schedule.
Visit the Hele-On live tracking website.
Choose the correct route number and service name.
Search a nearby stop or view it on the map.
Review the upcoming estimated bus arrival.
Recheck delays, cancellations and detours before leaving.
View bus routes, stops and live arrival information.
Open the live Hele-On map →Use the mobile version to search routes and nearby stop arrivals.
Open mobile Hele-On tracker →Hele-On Flex Routes and Kakoʻo Paratransit
Not every Hele-On service works like a regular fixed-stop bus. Several routes support flex requests, while Hele-On Kakoʻo provides an advance-reservation transportation option for eligible passengers who cannot use standard fixed-route buses.
Flex-Route Service
Selected routes can divert up to one mile from their ordinary path when an eligible advance request is arranged.
Examples include routes 12, 60, 301 and 403, plus published flex provisions on Route 75.
Reservation rule: for a flex deviation, the agency generally requires a request at least one hour in advance.
Call: (808) 961-8744, option 1.
Hele-On Kakoʻo Paratransit
Advance-reservation origin-to-destination transportation for qualifying passengers whose functional limitations prevent using the regular fixed-route service.
Reservation line: (808) 640-1020.
Reservation hours: daily, 7:45 AM–4:30 PM.
Next-day requests generally must be received by 4:30 PM. Eligibility and coverage rules apply.
Read official Kakoʻo eligibility, coverage, booking and flex-route instructions →
Baggage, Bicycles and Boarding Rules
Read Hele-On’s official bike, baggage, stop and how-to-ride guidance →
Hele-On Bus Alerts, Holiday Service and Weather Delays
Hawaiʻi Island’s long routes can be affected by road closures, lava-related access restrictions, heavy rain, flooding, crashes, volcanic activity, construction and scheduled service changes.
Check current Hele-On rider alerts, delays and cancellation notices →
How to Read a Hele-On Bus Schedule Without Missing Your Trip
Match the complete route number and corridor name.
Choose Hilo-bound, Kona-bound, Pāhoa-bound or the appropriate destination.
Check weekday-only trips, weekend patterns and holiday notes.
Match your boarding timepoint with the destination arrival in the same trip.
Check the tracker and alerts shortly before you leave.
For a broader explanation of timetable columns, stop IDs and real-time arrivals, see our practical public transit schedule reading guide. Then return to the county’s official Hele-On timetable for your exact trip.
Which Hele-On Route Should You Use for Common Big Island Trips?
Hilo to Kona
Compare Route 1 and Route 2. Route 2’s Blue Line travels via Highway 200, Waikoloa-area stops and Kona Airport.
Hilo to Pāhoa
Start with Route 40, then check whether a Puna-area route provides the required neighborhood connection.
Hilo to Volcano
Check Route 11 Red Line first. Compare Route 10 only when its schedule and service day fit your journey.
Kona town to Keauhou
Use the Aliʻi Drive Route 201, checking the designated stop and the current hourly departure pattern.
Hilo Airport to Downtown
Use Route 101 in the correct direction and verify the airport-side boarding point.
South Kohala Resorts to Kona
Compare Routes 2, 75, 76, 80 and 90 where the published routing and trip times support the required destination.
Hele-On vs Maui Bus vs Honolulu TheBus
Different Hawaiian islands have different bus networks. Route numbers, fares, operating agencies and airport connections should never be treated as interchangeable.
| Island | Transit system | Main rider distinction |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaiʻi Island | Hele-On | Countywide network with free fixed-route rides under the published 2028 policy. |
| Maui | Maui Bus | Different county, schedules, airport routes and fare rules. |
| Oʻahu | TheBus | Separate Honolulu network, HOLO fare rules and route numbering. |
Traveling to another island? Our Maui Bus routes, fares and airport transportation guide covers the separate Maui network. For Oʻahu, the Honolulu TheBus Route 8 example in our national route finder illustrates how that island’s bus numbers and timetables differ from Hele-On.
Hele-On Contact Information
Route information, service assistance and flex requests. The route timetable references option 1 for particular boarding requests.
The county lists dispatch availability daily, 7:00 AM–5:30 PM. Verify current contact hours.
For general agency information and assistance.
Hilo Mass Transit Agency office: 2299 Hoʻolaulima Road, Hilo, Hawaiʻi 96720.
Language assistance: Interpretation services can be requested by contacting (808) 961-8744, option 3.
Hele-On Bus Travel Checklist
- Confirm that you are traveling on Hawaiʻi Island, not Maui or Oʻahu.
- Identify the correct Hele-On route number and destination.
- Check the latest February or July 2026 effective timetable as appropriate.
- Confirm the direction and service day.
- Find your actual boarding stop and stop ID when available.
- Review the published departure and return bus times.
- Confirm whether the stop allows flag boarding or requires a request.
- Check the live bus tracker for delayed or canceled trips.
- Allow extra time for cross-island connections, airports and long-frequency routes.
- Verify special arrangements for flex service, paratransit or park admission.
Official Hele-On Timetables, Fare Rules, Maps and Rider Information
The following resources are published by the County of Hawaiʻi Mass Transit Agency or its designated tracking service. Always use the operating agency’s latest information for time-sensitive travel decisions.
The primary timetable directory for East, West and North Hawaiʻi.
Open official route schedules →Free fares through December 31, 2028 and park admission notes.
Open official fare information →Routes serving Hilo Airport, Kona Airport, Waimea-Kohala Airport and heliport facilities.
Open airport bus information →Hele-On map and arrival lookup.
Open official live map →Cross-island timetable with Kona Airport and Waikoloa stops.
Open Route 2 schedule →Hilo to Volcano National Park departures.
Open Volcano bus schedule →Kailua-Kona and Keauhou service, effective July 12, 2026.
Open Aliʻi Drive timetable →North and central Kona timetable and stop information.
Open Central Kona schedule →Paratransit reservations, eligibility, service areas and flex-route information.
Open accessibility services →Current rider notices, closures and disruption guidance.
Open rider alerts →Editorial review date: October 9, 2026. Most route schedules used here are effective February 1, 2026; the specified West and North Hawaiʻi routes use July 12, 2026 schedules. Same-day vehicle predictions and service conditions can change independently of these timetable dates.
Hele-On Bus Schedule FAQs
What is the Hele-On bus schedule in Hawaii?
Hele-On is the County of Hawaiʻi public bus system serving the Big Island. Current route timetables are available from the official county bus schedules and maps directory. Departure times vary by route, direction and day.
Is Hele-On bus free in 2026?
Yes. The county states that Hele-On fixed-route buses are free for all passengers through December 31, 2028. Separate charges, such as Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park admission, may still apply.
What bus goes from Hilo to Kona?
Hele-On Routes 1 and 2 provide Hilo–Kona connections. Route 2 Blue Line travels via Highway 200, Waikoloa-area stops and Kona International Airport. Check the current timetable for the exact trip.
How do I get to Kona Airport by Hele-On bus?
The county lists Kona Airport service on Routes 2, 60, 75, 90 and 202, plus selected Route 80 trips. The appropriate route depends on where you are boarding and which trips serve the airport.
Does Hele-On go to Hilo International Airport?
Yes. Route 101 Keaukaha serves Hilo International Airport. The published Monday–Saturday timetable includes a 6:15 AM departure from Moʻoheau Terminal reaching the airport stop at 6:32 AM.
What is the Kona Aliʻi Drive bus schedule?
Route 201 connects Loloku Street Park & Ride and Keauhou Shopping Center. Its July 12, 2026 timetable lists hourly departures from Loloku between 6:00 AM and 9:00 PM. Riders must use designated stops along Aliʻi Drive.
Which Hele-On bus goes to Volcano National Park?
Route 11 Red Line connects Hilo with Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Route 10 also serves the Volcano corridor but has different service restrictions, including no Sunday or holiday service under the current timetable.
How can I track a Hele-On bus live?
Use the Hele-On live map at myheleonbus.org/map or its mobile interface. Select the relevant route and stop to review available bus locations and arrival predictions.
Does Hele-On operate on Sundays and holidays?
Many Hele-On routes operate seven days a week, but some are restricted to certain weekdays or do not operate on holidays. Route 10 specifically lists no Sunday or holiday service. Always check the individual route schedule.
Where is the main Hele-On bus terminal in Hilo?
Moʻoheau Bus Terminal is located at 329 Kamehameha Avenue in Hilo. It serves as a major connecting point for local and intercity Hele-On routes.
Before You Travel
BusSchedule.us is an independent travel-information website and is not operated by the County of Hawaiʻi Mass Transit Agency. We do not operate Hele-On buses, control departure times, sell official tickets or guarantee bus arrivals.
For your final trip decision, rely on the official county timetable, live vehicle tracking and current service notices.