Rental car is the best way to really see the island-- and the only way to get to some remote (and scenic) sites. Most major rental car companies have offices at the Lihue airport or nearby by shuttle bus. Rental cars infest the island like the chickens that are such persistent local pests.
The Kaua`i bus is perhaps the only other way to get around, but will not go to some rural attractions, such as Koke`e. Still, if you are on a budget, this bus will get you around and between the major population centers, such as Lihu`e and Kapa`a, and the major resort/beach areas.
One other option for transport on the island is bicycle. The east side of the island (including Lihue and Kapaa) has plans for a major bike path under development as of early 2005. Parts of this path exist, but the major connections between towns are still along the major highways. Eventually, the entire east side of the island will be connected by exclusive bikeways, making nonautomobile transportation a real option.
There are two main highways on Kauai, both starting in Lihue. Kaumualii Highway (state route 50) heads to the west, through the towns of Kalaheo, Hanapepe, Waimea, and Kekaha before ending at the Na Pali Coast. Kuhio Highway (state route 56) heads north from Lihue, through Kapaa, Kilauea, Princeville, and Hanalei, ending at the other side of Na Pali.
Information on this page has been extracted http://wikitravel.org/en/Kauai from and is based on work by rentals@aloha.net, Evan Prodromou, Shallana, David, Amy Kammerman, Todd VerBeek, Paul Matsi, Stacy Hall and Sam, Wikitravel user(s) PatelRahul and Applegettwo, Anonymous user(s) of Wikitravel and others.
