Homeschool benefits and savings in Honolulu

Children ages 6-17 ride TheBus and Skyline in Honolulu at the youth fare with a Youth HOLO card: $1.75 cash, $1.50 for a two-hour pass, and never more than $3.75 a day or $45 a month. Eligibility is by age, so a homeschooled child qualifies with a government-issued ID that shows the date of birth. Other options include recreation and camp discounts.

By Andrew Garber, founder of TheHomeschoolingCompany. Reviewed August 25, 2026.

Honolulu TheBus youth fare

Who qualifies

1. Is 6 to 17 years old

   TheBus defines a youth as a person ages 6-17, with proof of age required. High school students up to 19 also qualify with a valid high school ID or proof of enrollment.

2. Has a Youth HOLO card

   The reduced fare requires a Youth HOLO card, and your child shows it when paying cash.

3. Shows ID with date of birth

   Apply with a valid government-issued ID showing your child's date of birth. A parent or guardian can apply with their own government-issued photo ID and the child's ID.

What the youth fare costs

These are TheBus youth fares effective July 1, 2026.

Cash fare, each boarding

$1.75

2-hour pass on TheBus and Skyline

$1.50

24-hour pass or day cap

$3.75

Month cap or month pass

$45.00

Annual pass

$495.00

HOLO card fee, new or replacement

$2.00

Cash fares come with no transfer, so loading stored value on the HOLO card is the way to get the two-hour pass and the daily and monthly caps.

How to get the youth fare

1. Before you apply

   Gather IDs

   Bring your child's government-issued ID showing date of birth and your own government-issued photo ID.

2. At a Satellite City Hall

   Get the Youth HOLO card

   Apply at a Satellite City Hall, except the Ala Moana Center location, or at the Transit Pass Office, or order online with the Youth Fare Form.

3. Before riding

   Load stored value

   Add money at a HOLO retail location, at holocard.net, or by calling 808-768-4656.

4. At 18

   Watch the expiration

   Youth HOLO cards expire on June 30 after your child turns 18, or on the birthday if born after June 30. Students 18 or 19 must submit proof of high school enrollment.

What it includes

Included

• TheBus rides
• Skyline rides with the 2-hour pass
• Free rides for one child 5 and under per paying rider

Not included

• Transfers on cash fares
• Replacement of a lost card without the $2.00 fee

Who to contact about the youth fare

The HOLO Service Desk answers questions about Youth HOLO cards, stored value, and passes.

808-768-4656 TheBus youth fare page

Honolulu Summer Fun fee waivers

Who qualifies

1. Is 6 to 13 years old

   In 2026, children had to turn 6 before August 1 and be no older than 13 by July 24. Junior Leaders were 13 to 17.

2. Qualifies through DHS

   The registration and activity fee waivers go to qualifying families and neighborhoods through the Department of Human Services.

3. Brings the waiver early

   Submit the DHS waiver document to your Summer Fun park at least two business days before your registration date, and show photo ID when you redeem it.

What Summer Fun costs

These are the City and County of Honolulu's 2026 Summer Fun fees; a DHS waiver covers the registration and activity fees.

Registration fee per child

$25

Activity fee at sites with excursions

Up to $100

Most a family pays per child

$125

Summer Plus before care, per day

$8

Summer Plus after care, per day

$10

Summer Plus before and after care is run by Kama'aina Kids or the YMCA at extra cost, and the city's page does not say the DHS waiver covers it.

From applying to keeping it

1. Before registration

   Get the DHS waiver

   Obtain the fee waiver document through the Department of Human Services.

2. 2 business days before your date

   Turn in the waiver

   Bring the waiver document to the park where your child will attend Summer Fun.

3. Mid-May

   Register by park district

   In 2026, online registration at pros.hnl.info opened May 11-15 at 5 p.m., one day per park district, with walk-in help from 5 to 6 p.m. at the site.

4. June to July

   Attend Summer Fun

   The 2026 program ran weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at dozens of park sites around Oahu.

What it pays for

Covered

• Summer Fun registration fee
• Summer Fun activity fee

Not covered

• Summer Plus before and after care
• Separate enrichment classes

Who to contact

The Department of Parks and Recreation runs Summer Fun; for a specific site, call that park directly using the city's park map.

parks@honolulu.gov 808-768-3003 Summer Fun page

Homeschool rules and statewide help in Hawaii

You must submit Form 4140 or a letter of intent to the assigned public-school principal before starting. A new notice is required when moving to another school’s geographic area or changing school level; notify the principal when ending homeschooling.

Hawaii sets these rules:

• Subjects: Parents choose instruction suited to the child’s needs and interests; Hawaii does not require the public-school curriculum.
• Testing: Submit an annual progress report. Provide nationally normed standardized test scores in grades 3, 5, 8, and 10; those scores may serve as that year’s report. Other years may use an accepted teacher evaluation or the parent’s written evaluation with supporting work and test samples.
• Records: Keep the curriculum plan listing program dates, instructional hours, subject areas, mastery methods, and instructional materials, plus annual progress-report evidence.
• Teachers: Hawaii does not require a teaching certificate or degree to homeschool your own child.

Read the Hawaii homeschooling guide See statewide programs in Hawaii

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