Senior Transportation in Kaunakakai, HI

Local figures

Senior Transportation in Kaunakakai, HI: the local picture

13%

of households have no vehicle (5.4% in Maui County)

2.1 mi

to the nearest hospital with an emergency department (Kaunakakai)

945

residents 65 or older (22% of Kaunakakai)

50%

of residents 65+ report a disability (33% in Maui County)

About 155 Kaunakakai households, 13%, have no vehicle (5.4% in Maui County). The Census figure covers all ages, but older adults who stop driving are a large part of it.

Hospitals with an emergency department near Kaunakakai: Molokai General Hospital in Kaunakakai (2.1 mi); Lanai Community Hospital in Lanai City (19 mi). Distances are straight-line, so allow more on the road.

50% of residents 65 and older report a disability. If walking is hard, look for a caregiver who is comfortable with walkers and car transfers, not only a driver.

Kaunakakai compared with Maui County and Hawaii

Census figure	Kaunakakai	Maui County	Hawaii
Households with no vehicle	13%	5.4%	8.2%
Residents 65+ with a disability	50%	33%	32%
Residents 65 or older	22%	21%	20%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	19%	21%	20%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	17%	8.7%	9.2%
Residents 85 or older	2.8%	2.1%	2.8%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$75,197	$81,869	—

Older residents in towns around Kaunakakai

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Households with no car
Kualapuu, HI	5.9 mi	465	5.2%
Lanai City, HI	19 mi	731	11%
Napili-Honokowai, HI	23 mi	1,296	4.9%
Lahaina, HI	26 mi	1,866	7.9%
Waihee-Waiehu, HI	34 mi	2,007	5.8%
Wailuku, HI	35 mi	3,062	7.9%

Hospitals near Kaunakakai

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
Molokai General Hospital	Kaunakakai, HI	2.1 mi	not rated	(808) 553-5331
Lanai Community Hospital	Lanai City, HI	19 mi	not rated	(808) 565-8450

Straight-line miles from the center of Kaunakakai. Medicare (CMS) data, October 2026; call ahead to confirm. We are not affiliated with these providers.

What it covers

What a caregiver who drives can help with

Rides to doctor, dental and therapy appointments
Waiting during the appointment and taking notes
Grocery shopping, pharmacy and errands
Trips to church, the senior center and family

Cost

What senior transportation costs in Kaunakakai

At the Hawaii median aide wage of $18.32 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,588 a month in wages, which is 25% of the $6,266 monthly median income of Kaunakakai households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Hawaii's minimum wage is $16.00 an hour (U.S. Department of Labor table, updated July 1, 2026).

Hiring directly, you agree the rate with the caregiver and usually become the household employer (U.S. Department of Labor rules). Some families qualify for programs that pay for care at home; see Medicaid programs for family caregivers: who can be paid, and the rules in 12 states.

Before you hire

What to know before hiring a caregiver who drives

Giving up driving is a common reason older adults start to miss appointments and see fewer people. Before a caregiver drives, agree whose car is used, check that the auto insurance covers it, and agree a mileage rate in writing. The National Aging and Disability Transportation Center and the Eldercare Locator (1-800-677-1116) can point you to free and low-cost ride programs.

Questions worth asking: May I see your license and proof of auto insurance? Will you drive your car or ours? How do you help someone with a walker in and out of the car? More in our senior transportation guide.

CaregiverConnect does not run background checks. Check identity, references and any certification yourself before anyone starts. The Safety Center explains how.

Questions

Senior Transportation in Kaunakakai: common questions

Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Kaunakakai?

Molokai General Hospital in Kaunakakai, about 2.1 mi in a straight line from the center of Kaunakakai (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (808) 553-5331. In an emergency, call 911.

How much does senior transportation cost in Kaunakakai?

At the Hawaii median aide wage of $18.32 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,588 a month in wages, which is 25% of the $6,266 monthly median income of Kaunakakai households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Hawaii's minimum wage is $16.00 an hour (U.S. Department of Labor table, updated July 1, 2026).

Does Medicare pay for rides to appointments?

Original Medicare covers emergency ambulance trips, not routine rides. Medicaid covers non-emergency medical transportation for eligible members, and some Medicare Advantage plans include rides (Medicare.gov).

More near Kaunakakai

More senior care near Kaunakakai

Senior Transportation in nearby cities

Other care in Kaunakakai

More for Kaunakakai families

Sources

Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year; CMS provider data (October 25, 2026); U.S. DOL state minimum wages (July 1, 2026); BLS OEWS May 2025 aide wages, which cover employed aides rather than private rates.

Senior Transportation and Escorted Rides in Kaunakakai, HI