• Kona    Daily 6:00 a.m. - 9:00 PM            

• Puna    Monday - Friday 5:30 a.m. - 10:05 p.m.; Saturday & Sunday 6:30 a.m. - 9:15 p.m.

Hele-On offers flex route service on Route 12 - Volcano to Ocean View, Route 60 - Hilo to Waimea, Route 301 – Waimea Shuttle and Route 403 - Fern Acres for everyone! This flexible type services combine ADA paratransit and general public transit into one service providing additional mobility along the Hamakua Coast, between Volcano and Ocean View, in the Waimea and Fern Acres/Fern Forest/Eden Roc and Kea'au areas if you cannot get to the bus route.  The bus can flex up to 1 mile off route and you are required to make a reservation at least one hour in advance.  To schedule a flex trip, call (808) 961-8744, option 1.  TDD/TTY: 711 through the Relay Service.  The fare for flex service is FREE for all passengers.

Route 301 - Waimea Flex Service Hours:

               Monday - Friday  6:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.; Saturday & Sunday 9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Route 403 - Fern Acres Flex Service Hours:         

               Monday - Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 6:45 p.m.          

Route 60 - Hilo-Honoka'a-Waimea Flex Service Hours:         

               Monday - Saturday variable hours - please see schedule.    

Route 75 - North Kohala - Waimea - Kailua-Kona Flex Service Hours:

                Daily - 6:45 a.m. - 7:10 a.m. & 4:50 p.m. - 5:45 p.m.

                *Flex Route available only between Hawi and Kawaihae along Highway 270.

Route 12 - Volcano to Ocean View Flex Service Hours:         

               Everyday variable hours - please see schedule.            

Who qualifies for Hele-On Kako'o Paratransit?

Eligibility for Hele-On Kako‘o paratransit service is directly related to the functional ability of individuals with disabilities to use the existing fixed route service. Eligibility is not based on a diagnosis or type of disability, age, income, or whether or not individuals can drive or have access to private automobile transportation.  If you are a Senior Citizen 60 years old and above, and feel you do not meet the three (3) circumstances below, please contact Coordinated Services for the Elderly at (808) 961-8777.

The regulations describe three specific circumstances under which a person may be considered ADA paratransit eligible:

1. An individual who, as the result of a physical or mental impairment (including a vision impairment), without the assistance of another person (except the operator of a wheelchair lift or other boarding assistance device), is unable to board, ride or disembark from an accessible bus, or is unable to independently navigate the system (e.g., inability to recognize & board the correct bus, inability to have the correct fare available or is unable to use the fare collection system, cannot recognize destination(s) or lacks cognizant ability to successfully reach destination if transfers need to be made).
2. Any individual who could use the fixed route service, but cannot because the fixed route he/she wants to ride is not wheelchair lift equipped or the bus stop is not accessible due to physical characteristics of the stop. Please note that all of our fixed-route buses are equipped with wheelchair lifts.
3. A person whose disability interacts with the environment in such a way as it prevents travel to or from a bus stop (e.g. individuals with cardiac conditions can walk several blocks to bus stops, but doing so in very hot weather may put them at unreasonable risk). This category also includes architectural barriers and environmental conditions that prevent travel to or from a bus stop (e.g. complex intersections or busy streets certain individuals with disabilities may not be able to cross, or lack of curb ramps or alternative accessible pathways that would make individuals who use mobility devices travel in the street, while others are able to use the sidewalk). Distance to or from the bus stop alone does not qualify someone as being eligible. Lack of fixed route service or inconvenient bus schedules is also not a basis for eligibility.

Application and Eligibility Process

• Complete the Hele-On Kako'o Paratransit Application
• Have your Medical Care Provider complete the P-1 Form
• Call (808) 961-8408 - TDD/TTY: 711 through Relay Service for a short phone interview or you may request an in-person interview
• Mail your application to:  Mass Transit Agency Transit Program Manager, 25 Aupuni Street, Hilo, Hawaii 96720
• Your paratransit identification card will be mailed to you once eligibility is determined
• Once your card is received, you may begin making reservations and start using the service

The entire application and eligibility process normally takes about a week. Applicants will be notified in writing as to their eligibility status. You have the right to service if an eligibility decision takes longer than 21 days to determine.

Right to Appeal

Persons who are determined to be ineligible for Hele-On Kako'o paratransit service have the right to appeal the decision. A written request to appeal must be filed along with a copy of the determination letter, within 60 days of receipt of the ineligible determination letter, to the County of Hawaii Mass Transit Administrator at 25 Aupuni Street, Hilo, HI 96720 or email heleonbus@hawaiicounty.gov. 

How do I use the service?

Once you receive your Hele-On Kako'o paratransit identification card, you may call the reservation line to book your future trip.

Reservation Call Center (808) 640-1020.  TDD/TTY: 711 through the Relay Service.

Seven days a week between 7:45 AM and 4:30 PM.  Reservations may be made by leaving a message with the answering service after hours or online at Hele-on.reservations@mtm-inc.net.  Reservations for next day service must be received by 4:30 p.m.

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Service is public transportation. It is a shared vehicle ride and is available by advance reservations only. Reservations must be made a minimum one day in advance for next-day service. 

If you need transportation to several destinations in one day, you must make separate reservation requests for each pickup and drop off location. You may reserve multiple trips during the same reservation call. A one-hour window between trips is required. Please note that you may not make any changes to your reservation once your vehicle has arrived at the origin (pick up) point.

Pickup times may be negotiated up to one hour before and after the requested departure time. If you need to cancel a reservation, please call the Reservation Line at least two hours prior to your scheduled pickup as to avoid unnecessary transportation costs. Please do not wait for the driver to show up to inform them that you need to cancel the ride. Individuals who have a pattern of "no shows" (not canceling rides before pickup) may be subject to suspension of services.

There is a 30 minute pick up window (15 minutes before scheduled pick up time and 15 minutes after scheduled pick up time.  Riders must be ready during this period. Please call the Reservation Call Center if the driver has not arrived after 30 minutes.

Drivers will depart after waiting at least 5 minutes after arrival during the 30 minute pick up window if the rider does not appear.

FAQ

What does it cost to ride?

If I already have paratransit eligibility in another city, can I travel on Hele-On Kako`o as a visitor?

Yes. If you are currently eligible for paratransit service in another jurisdiction, you may use the Hele-On Kako'o paratransit service for up to 21 days during a 365-day period. If you require service beyond that time you will need to go through the normal application and eligibility process.

Am I able to board or disembark using the ramp if I don't use a mobility device?

Yes. Walk-on riders who have difficulty stepping onto the vehicle may use the ramp.

Does the paratransit vehicle accommodate wheelchairs and scooters?

Yes.  Dimensions for these mobility devices should not exceed 53 inches in length and 33 inches in width, with a maximum weight of 600 pounds when occupied. Although not required, riders using scooters are recommended to relocate to a regular seat in the vehicle due to operational and safety considerations

Additional Resources

• Paratransit Application
• P-1 Form
• Paratransit Brochure
• Paratransit Rider's Guide 4/30/2022
• Hele-On Kako'o Paratransit Service Area Map
• Intra-Hilo Coverage Area Map (text version)
• Intra-Kona Coverage Area Map (text version)
• Waimea Shuttle Coverage Area Map (including Flex Service)
• Fern Acres Coverage Area Map (Including Flex Service)
• Route 60 Flex Route Coverage Area
• Route 12 Flex Route Coverage Area
• Appeals Form
• Title VI Notice and Complaint Form