Transportation assistance helps women get to work, court, prenatal appointments, childcare, and DV shelters. Public transit passes are often free or discounted through TANF, Medicaid non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT, which covers rides to all covered medical visits at no cost), and WIC. Many workforce and job training programs include bus passes, and the Ways to Work program funds low-interest car loans for working parents. Domestic violence shelters often coordinate confidential relocation transportation through VAWA-funded programs. In rural areas, dial-a-ride and volunteer driver programs operate through Area Agencies on Aging and community action agencies. This directory includes transit authorities, Medicaid NEMT providers, and car-ownership assistance.
Hawaii's Family Court is a division of the Circuit Court and operates in each of its four judicial circuits (Oahu, Maui, Hawaii Island, Kauai). The Child Support Enforcement Agency operates under the Attorney General. Honolulu is the largest population center. Legal Aid Society of Hawaii, Volunteer Legal Services Hawaii, and the Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence serve women.
Skyline is Honolulu's elevated rail line — currently running from East Kapolei to Aloha Stadium, with extensions toward downtown and the airport phased in over the coming years. Useful for west Oahu mothers commuting into town. Daily service; HOLO card pays fares and integrates with TheBus. Call 808-848-5555 for current schedule.
808-848-5555 · Oahu, HI · Daily service · Visit Website
Maui Bus operates fixed-route service across central, west, and upcountry Maui, including the Wailuku transit hub. Fares are modest and monthly passes are available. The Lahaina routes have been rebuilt and adapted post-wildfire. Call 808-871-4838 for current routes and schedules. Daily routes.
808-871-4838 · Kahului, HI 96732 · Daily routes · Visit Website
Hele-On Bus is Hawaii County's free public transit system (the only free fixed-route public transit in the state), connecting Hilo, Kona, Pahoa, Waimea, and many rural communities. Call 808-961-8744 for the latest schedule — routes run Monday through Saturday with limited Sunday service.
808-961-8744 · Hilo, HI 96720 · Mon-Sat routes · Visit Website
Kauai Bus operates fixed-route service from Hanalei through Lihue to Kekaha along the main highway corridor, with shuttle routes serving Princeville, Kapaa, and Poipu. Call 808-246-8110 for current schedule. Monday through Saturday service. Monthly passes and reduced senior/disability fares available.
808-246-8110 · Lihue, HI 96766 · Mon-Sat routes · Visit Website
TheHandi-Van is Oahu's ADA-mandated paratransit service for riders unable to use the fixed-route bus due to disability. Reservations must be made at least one day in advance through 808-456-5555. Useful for Oahu women with disabilities, mothers traveling with children with disabilities, or pregnant women on medical bed rest. Daily service.
808-456-5555 · Honolulu, HI · Daily service · Visit Website
Amtrak does not operate in Hawaii — the islands have no passenger rail beyond Honolulu's Skyline — but the Amtrak site is useful for women traveling to mainland states for medical care, family visits, or relocation. Senior, veteran, and child discounts apply.
Nationwide · Online
Greyhound does not serve Hawaii directly — the islands are off the mainland intercity bus network — but the site is useful for women planning travel between mainland cities, particularly when relocating to or from Hawaii via West Coast ports.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
FlixBus and Megabus operate budget intercity service on the US mainland, useful for Hawaii women planning travel on the West Coast where these companies are strongest. Not available in Hawaii itself.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
USDOT administers the federal transit funding that flows to TheBus, Hele-On, Maui Bus, and Kauai Bus, along with FAA oversight of the airline service that connects Hawaii's islands. The site is useful for understanding accessibility complaints, ADA enforcement, and air-passenger rights for interisland travel.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Dialing 211 in Hawaii (Aloha United Way's helpline) connects a mother to information about subsidized bus passes, medical transportation, gas-card programs, and volunteer-driver networks that exist on each island. Faster than searching each individual program separately. 24/7.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
VA Pacific Islands runs free shuttles and reimburses travel costs for eligible women veterans traveling to medical appointments — including interisland travel from neighbor islands to Honolulu's main VA facility. Contact the Spark Matsunaga VA Medical Center to arrange in advance.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Modivcare contracts with state Medicaid programs nationwide to provide non-emergency medical transportation. Hawaii's Med-QUEST plans (HMSA, Kaiser, AlohaCare, UHC Community Plan, Ohana Health Plan) each have their own NEMT vendor — confirm with your plan whether Modivcare or another provider serves your area.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
AAA Foundation publishes senior driving research and the CarFit assessment program that helps older drivers — including kupuna mothers and grandmothers — make sure their vehicle is adjusted safely. AAA Hawaii hosts occasional CarFit events; check aaa.com Hawaii for the current schedule.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
NADTC publishes the technical guidance Hawaii transit agencies use to design accessible service for older adults and people with disabilities. Useful for adult daughters helping aging mothers navigate transportation options, and for women with disabilities advocating for improved service in their county.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website