Part of Kauai’s charm is its lack of high rises and a large urban center. Small towns separated by corridors of green space define the island, which means that getting around requires wheels. Your best bet is to rent a car in advance from one of the rental agencies at Lihue Airport.
There is taxi service at the airport, some hotels offer shuttles, you can rent a limousine and a chauffeur and tour bus operators pick up passengers for prearranged tours, but don’t expect to hop on a public bus.
The Kauai Bus, which provides limited service throughout the island, does not stop at the airport.