More Rail (& Bus) Adventures

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Coming into Daniel K. Inouye Airport on the new Section 2

Section 2 of the Honolulu rail system opened on October 16, 2025.  A few days later, Kari and I decided to give the whole thing a try.  We had fun.

As an elevated train system, elevators came in handy.

Starting at the Waipahu Hōʻaeʻae station (aka "West Loch"), we went west all the way to the end at Kualakaʻi station.  The  train then automatically reversed direction, and headed back east.  We passed Pearl Harbor with great views of mauka (mountains), makai (ocean), and city.

View of Pearl Harbor riding east.  The Arizona memorial is on the right and the Missouri on the left.

We took the train to the end at Kahauiki station (aka Middle Street / Kalihi Transit Center).  From there, it was a short walk and elevator ride to the bus station downstairs.  

We waited only a little while before we took Route 2 bus towards Waikiki.  The bus was full, obviously a very important part of peoples' everyday life.

We reached Waikiki.  After a short walk, we were rewarded with a wide variety of dining options.

Waikiki Brewing Company, one of many dining options
within a short walk of the Route 2 bus into Waikiki.

On the way back, we boarded the new W route, a bus which runs along the water from Waikiki to the Airport.  It was comfortable, convenient, and let us out right at the lei stands at HNL, just a short walk to the train.


The trains are electric, built by Hitachi, and quiet.  You can catch some sights and sounds of the rail system below.

   

Compared to when I first began to ride in Waipahu, it looked like the rail system is growing in usage.  Section 2 will be a big help, especially for airport access.  Eventually, they hope to go all the way to the edge of Waikiki.

For information about the rail visit https://honolulutransit.org/about/route-map/











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