Get Around in Hawaii Islands

Hi

I am a backpacker who admire a long distance walking.

I usually use bus to take me to destination where I can take a good sightseeing.

I need to know more about Hawaii about walking/hiking routes and public transportation.

I plan to walk around one of Hawaiian Island, probably Oahu and take public transportation in Big Island
or vice versa if Oahu have good transportation system but walking or hitching is necessary in Big Island.

I can see on some maps that there are roads by the coast around all islands. Are they walk able? I can walk up to maybe 100 miles at a time for few days then get on public transportation back to the hostel. I might take stealth camping along the road.

I might plan to stay about 2 to 3 weeks in Hawaii in October before hitting Asia for my backpacking travels.

Any suggestion, information or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Allan

Oahu is probably your best bet for public transportation. They have TheBus.

In my experience, the roads of Hawaii are often quite narrow & hilly and with campers, trucks and/or tourist drivers, it could be a little dangerous to be walking by the side of the road. That being said, I'd say hitching would be fairly easy to do - everyone is so friendly - but others may be able to chime in on that.

Have done a fair bit of walking around north side of Kauai. Cant say i look forward to repeating the experience. Like was noted above, a lot of switchbacks that rub up against cliffs or guardrails to negotiate and a lot of overgrown weeds along no-shoulder roads. it is possible though. good bus system on Kauai. Official bus website says no large (re- backpacker) packs, but i never had a problem with my pack. Didn't see any hitchhikers except very close to beaches. Hawaii seems to be a bit of a car rental haven for most vacationeers.

I can speak more to Oahu than other islands as I've lived here 13 of the last 20 years. Oahu probably has the most established public transportation as well as the most roads. But like hydro said, many have narrow shoulders. As for hitching, I honestly only ever see people hitching up near the north shore. As for beach camping, it depends. Some places are safe and secluded. Some you'll get kicked out before you can pitch your tent. Technically all beach parks require permits for camping on Oahu though there are probably plenty where you'd never be bothered (especially if you camp during the week). Don't try to camp at any place where you see other tents flying the hawaiian flag (especially upside down). They're typically Hawaiian separatists and are not keen on haoles (white ppl). Also Oahu is pretty populated and was just voted as having the worst traffic in the US so I'd stay away from the Honolulu/Waikiki area for any kind of road side hiking and camping.