Hawaii Taxis
Costly Cabs
Like any other state with large cities, Hawaii has taxi cab services available on its islands. But taxis on the Aloha Islands operate a little differently, and even at different costs than those you may find on the mainland.
By Island
Depending on which island you will be visiting, the availability and cost of taking a taxi cab will vary. You will be able to find a cab on most of the islands, but be aware that the rates and policies of different companies may vary.
Maui
On Maui, the best time to call for a taxi cab is when you plan on traveling only short distances, because with the county’s $3(USD) per mile rate, long voyages can get quite expensive. So, if you’re just going from your hotel to a nearby restaurant or beach, calling a cab is an excellent travel option. You may also want to keep in mind that unlike in most major cities, you won’t find any curbside cab service anywhere on Maui, even in busy places like West Maui. If you want to take a taxi be sure you call ahead to make reservations prior to when you want to depart.
There are a number of cab companies that offer a variety of vehicles to take you around the island of Maui. Ali’i Cab company services West Maui and can be contacted at telephone number 808-661-3688. Arthur’s Limousine Service provides chauffeured stretch limos featuring two TVs and a bar. You can ride in these luxury automobiles for a rate of $122(USD) per hour, and to book your limo call 808-871-5555 or 877-408-9559. Classy Taxi also has limousines for rent, along with convertibles, and a 1929 Model A Ford Phaeton. These classy rides come at the same cost as regular cab fare. Classy Taxi can be reached at telephone number 808-665-0003. Kihei Taxi provides cab service to Central Maui, and can be reached by calling 808-879-3000. Wailea Limousine Service has a fleet made up of vans, Cadillacs, and limousines, and is located on the South Shore. To contact them call 808-875-4114 or 808-661-4114 in Lahaina.
Big Island
Taking a taxi on Hawaii’s Big Island can be quite costly. To get from the airport to the city of Kailua-Kona by taxi will cost you around $30(USD) for the short seven mile trip. And, depending on which of the Kohala Coast hotels or resorts you’re staying in, it will cost about $15(USD) to $(30(USD) to get to your accommodations. From the Kohala Coast into the Kailua-Kona town, you should expect to pay an average of $50(USD) for a taxi ride.
A lot of Hawaii’s taxi cab companies offer guided taxi tours around the island, but don’t choose this method of sightseeing unless you’re prepared to shell out big bucks. The cost of round trip tours can get as high as $350(USD). If you decide to catch a cab while staying on the Big Island, there are several taxi companies available for you to choose from. Here are some of the taxi cab companies located on the Big Island:
- Aloha Taxi — Kailua Kona 808-325-0775
- Alpha Star Taxi — Kamuela 808-885-4771
- Elsa Taxi — Kailua Kona 808-937-8888
- Hula Girl Taxi — Kailua Kona 808-937-9896
Kauai
Just like on the Big Island and Maui, cab fare on Kauai isn’t cheap. A ride in a taxi will cost you $2.50(USD) per mile after an initial $2.50(USD) for the meter drop. Traveling from city to city by taxi cab can cost you anywhere from $40(USD) to $70(USD), so it’s best to call a cab when you only need to travel short distances. There are several cab companies on Kauai including Akiko’s Taxi, which is located in Kapa’a. Akiko’s employs a fleet of minivans. Also, City Cab is a reliable company servicing many places throughout the island. North Shore Cab Company, which is run out of Princeville, services the north and east regions of the island.
There is also cab service available on Hawaii’s other islands. For a more extensive listing of cab companies found on the islands of Hawaii, check out the islands’ state website at http://www.thestateofhawaii.com/taxi.html#hawaii.