Kona Trolley Back in Action Under Hele-On Umbrella

The Kona Trolley is running again.

In partnership with Kailua-Kona businesses, the County of Hawai’i Mass Transit Agency has re-launched the Kona Trolley route as Hele-On Route 201. The new route operates between Kona Commons to Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa, seven days a week, between 7 am to 9 pm, every 60 minutes.

The vehicle used is an open-air trolley that serves stops along the route, which are identified by a Kona Trolley or Hele-On bus stop sign. In addition, passengers can flag the trolley at a safe location.

This route serves the Kona Brewing Company, Kona Coast Shopping Center, Kailua Pier, Coconut Grove Marketplace, Lanihau Center, Kona Inn Shopping Center, Royal Kona Resort, Royal Sea Cliff, Kona by the Sea, Kona Bali Kai, Magic Sands Beach, Kahalu´u Beach Park, Keauhou Shopping Center, Kona Country Club, and Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa.

As part of the Hele-On transit system, the route charges a $2 general fare with a $1 discount fare one-way for seniors, students, and differently abled individuals. In addition, there are 10-ride tickets and monthly passes available for sale. The implementation of this route is one of the many elements of the Transit and Multi-Modal Transportation Master Plan that the County Council adopted in August 2018.

Additional elements, including route changes, will be implemented in September. This private-public partnership route is funded by Kailua Village Business Improvement District, Kona Commons, Kona Marketplace, Coconut Grove Marketplace, Sheraton Kona Resort and Spa, Keauhou Shopping Center, Kona Brewing Company, Target, Kona Coast Shopping Center, HIS, Lanihau Marketplace, and the County of Hawai’i.

The route is operated by Roberts Hawai’i as part of the contract to operate the Hele-On transit system.

For more information about Hele-On and the new Kona Trolley route, call (808) 961-8744, TDD: 711 through the relay service, send an email to heleonbus@hawaiicounty.gov, visit www.heleonbus.org, or find Hele-On Bus on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or YouTube.