PATH s our Volunteers!

You may know that PATH’s mission is to connect people and places with bikeways and walkways on Hawai’i Island by administering three important programs: Biking and Pedestrian Safety Classes for Keiki and Adults, HIBIKE Bikeshare, and Vision Zero and Complete Streets Advocacy.

But what isn’t always apparent is how integral our volunteers are to making this possible! Without the generosity of our volunteers, these programs wouldn’t happen and we couldn’t fulfill our mission. So since it’s Valentine’s Day, we wanted to take a moment to tell all of our volunteers that we you and are so grateful for all you do every day!

Today, we’re shining the spotlight on just a few of the many volunteers behind PATH’s efforts, events, and programs. Let’s get to know two outstanding couples who give of their time and energy throughout the year!

Meet Kathy and Dan!

They are always willing to help with PATH activities … and their help is always outstanding! Dan and Kathy are from Pleasanton, CA, where they still live when they aren’t in Kailua Kona for the winter.

Their adventure as PATH volunteers began nearly seven years ago, when Cindy Armer invited them to help with a race event.

“When Cindy Armer asks for volunteers in her charming and pleasant way, you have to agree to help out!” says Kathy, adding that once you volunteer for a PATH event, you discover how much fun it really is. “When you are working with a group of people that want to be there, it makes it enjoyable!”

When it comes to PATH events, Dan and Kathy can still be found volunteering for anything race related. This can include setting up barriers, handing out awards, cutting up fruit, cleaning up at the end of an event, and whatever else needs to be done.

“Working with fun people and meeting new folks,” says Dan when asked what he likes most about volunteering.

“For me, the best part of volunteering is feeling good about helping out!” Kathy adds.

When they’re not volunteering, you can find the Sackl’s cycling, hiking, doing home projects, paddling with KCC in Hawai’i, and spending time with friends. In the summer, Dan and Kathy enjoy spending time on the mainland with their four-year old granddaughter and taking road trips in their small camper.

Meet Rune and Sharlene!

After many years in the tech world, Rune and Sharlene retired. And six months ago, they became PATH volunteers. “We have more time on our hands, and PATH’s mission and projects seem a worthwhile way to spend that spare time.”

As volunteers, Sharlene and Rune currently help with PATH’s fourth grade Bike Education program.

“We are still learning the ropes, but it is highly rewarding to see how excited the kids are to learn how to bike safely!” says Rune.

Sharlene, who will soon be serving on PATH’s Programming Committee, explains that the best part of being a PATH volunteer is working with the kids and the other like-minded, active volunteers.  “My volunteer efforts align with my interests and passions!”

For Rune, it’s hard to decide which part of volunteering for PATH is the “best,” since there are a few aspects that stand out for him, including seeing how participation makes a difference in people’s lives.

“When kids master safe bike handling and get excited about moving around on bikes, it also motivates families to support more bike-friendly communities,” he explains. “Also, volunteering with PATH allows us to meet other interesting volunteers who are active and passionate about outdoor activities!”

Today, Rune and Sharlene live mauka of Keauhou and have a small coffee farm in Honalo, just north of the Teshima junction.

When they’re not volunteering, the couple maintains a part of the coffee farm that Sharlene’s grandparents started. Both Sharlene and Rune bike and swim in West Hawaii’s beautiful bays whenever they can.

Share the Love  Volunteer Together!

“If you feel passionate about making walking, hiking, and biking easier, safer, and helping to provide more opportunities, being a PATH volunteer is a great way to contribute without being a huge time commitment,” Sharlene shares.

“PATH is working to improve Hawaii’s communities and environment – That’s something that seems unlikely to happen without community engagement,” explains Rune. “As volunteers, we join a larger organization with more clout, influence, and resources to make a real difference to the quality of life in Hawai’i.”

“Consider volunteering with PATH. You’ll meet new people while helping out your local community!” says Dan.

“And you’ll have fun doing it!” Kathy adds.

We’ve heard it said that the couples that volunteer together stay together! And if you’re looking to have a memorable date while making a difference, why not consider volunteering for PATH?!  Of course, you can always volunteer with your whole family, your best friends, or your coworkers too!

Whether it is serving on a Board Committee, helping out with a community walk/bike/or run, or helping people learn the bike and pedestrian safety needed to be empowered active transportation champions, volunteers are an integral part of the movement for active transportation.

And we need more volunteers! Ready to make a difference while having fun?

Please fill out this volunteer application and someone from our staff will email you with the time and date of our next volunteer orientation. At the orientation, you will hear from staff and volunteers about current volunteer opportunities.

With so many ways to support the movement for safe, accessible active transportation on Hawai’i Island, we hope you’ll consider joining the PATH team as a volunteer!

Hawai’i County Brings Big Changes to Island’s Mass Transit System, Offers Free HIBIKE Bikeshare to Hele-On Riders

HILO, HI. January 5, 2022 – The County of Hawai’i Mass Transit Agency has recently announced that Hele-On passengers have a new, viable transportation option that provides economic, health, and convenience benefits. Hele-On bus riders can now access HIBIKE Bikeshare at no additional cost. For free access, every Hele-On rider can ask bus operators for a code to use at the HIBIKE kiosks.

The free HIBIKE Bikeshare offering is the result of changes to the Mass Transit System under the leadership of interim Mass Transit Administrator at Hawai’i County, John Andoh. 

“Mayor Mitch Roth brought me to Hawai’i County to implement the actions detailed in the transit and multimodal transportation master plan adopted in 2018,” says Mr. Andoh. “Additionally, I came onboard to restructure Hele-On to be a true economic driver for this island, and bring in new modes to help move people around.”

These modes include the department’s partnership with People for Active Transportation Hawai’i (PATH) to put into action van pools, partnerships with Lyft and Uber, a new route network that will make it easy for everyone to get around the island, and HIBIKE Bikeshare.

Mr. Andoh is also focusing on addressing the need for internal circulation within urbanized areas of rural environments, such as Hilo, Kailua-Kona, Waimea, and Pahoa.

“Multimodal opportunities can start simple, like with a bikeshare system in rural areas for ‘first mile, last mile’ connections from a transit bus to someone’s destination,” affirms Mr. Andoh, pointing out that bikesharing can also be combined with flexible demand responsive services like a taxi. “We have multiple stations that we are funding in partnership with PATH to demonstrate intermodal connection.”

Integration of the HIBIKE Bikeshare System

In 2016, PATH’s partnership with the County of Hawaii’s Research & Development Department piloted a bikeshare system in Kailua-Kona to test how bikeshare could work on Hawai’i Island, which was eventually expanded to the Hilo area. As part of this expansion, Mass Transit came on to start subsidizing the bikeshare operation,  incorporating it into the family of services provided by the agency. 

Since bikesharing promotes active, healthy transportation and exercise, it’s important to maintain this bikeshare system as part of Hawai’i County’s multi-mobility or multimodal transportation plan. 

Bikeshare stations are also incredibly beneficial in areas where a bus route may not make sense because the destination may be close enough to mainline transit. And establishing bikeshare stations near bus routes to get to and from an off-route location eliminates the need to deviate a mainline transit route. 

More Highlights of Hawaii’s Mass Transit Master Plan

In addition to the partnership between Mass Transit and PATH to provide HIBIKE Bikeshare opportunities, offering riders a connection from the transit system to other destinations, highlights include:

• A paratransit service, which provides transportation for persons with disabilities who cannot take traditional Hele-On bus services. 
• Enhancements to shared-ride taxi program, including partnerships with Lyft and Uber.
• A partnership with the Hawai’i County Economic Opportunities Council and the Brantley Center to promote demand-responsive specialized programs and provide door-to-door services.
• A Department of Education (DOE) partnership, providing bus service in neighborhoods around the island and ensuring access to educational opportunities for Hawaii’s students.

A service of PATH and Hele-On, HIBIKE Bikeshare is a form of mobility management ideal for anyone who wants to leave their car parked during a short trip, or enhance their transportation options. In other cities with a bikeshare system, it’s been shown that local businesses benefit, with an increase in visibility on the street-level, because people are out of their cars and more aware of the businesses around them. 

For more information on integration of the HIBIKE Bikeshare System, visit: 

www.heleonbus.org/hibike and for more details on Hawai’i County’s Multi-Modal Transportation Plan, please visit: The PATH blog: A Game Changer .

 # # # 

PATH

PATH is a community-based, grassroots 501(c)(3) non-profit active transportation organization serving Hawaii County committed to elevating the efforts of community groups and Hawai’i County to create more multi-modal trails for active transportation in Hawai’i, with an emphasis on developing more protected places for people to use mobility devices, walk, or bike on Hawai’i Island.

A Game Changer: Hawai’i County Launches Multi-Modal Transportation Plan, Brings Big Changes to the Big Island’s Mass Transit System

Imagine this: You live in Hilo and are driving to Kailua-Kona everyday for your job at a South Kohala Resort. Or perhaps you live in Ocean View, but you make the drive to Hilo a few times a week for classes at the University of Hawai?i at Hilo.

Whether you’re just trying to make a living or you’re hoping to further your education, commutes like these can be a drain. They’re physically exhausting, costly when it comes to filling up the gas tank, a source of carbon emissions… and part of life on Hawai’i Island.

If interim Mass Transit Administrator at Hawai’i County, John Andoh, has anything to say about it however, this inefficient, unconnected way of life could become a distant memory. 

Big changes are not only on the horizon for the Hawai’i County Mass Transit System, but are already underway. Today, we’ll look at how Mr. Andoh is leading the agency to implement the county’s Multimodal Transportation Plan, history and highlights of the plan, integration of the hub-and-spoke model and the HIBIKE Bikeshare system, increased Hele-On service, and more! 

Let’s get started! 

Mr. Andoh Leads Implementation of the County’s Multimodal Transportation Plan

When John Andoh began his position as Hawai’i County’s interim Mass Transit Administrator a couple of months ago, he immediately dove head first into advancing the county’s multimodal transportation plan. With decades of experience in mass transit management, Mr. Andoh got his start in mass transit right after graduating from high school in California. And he’s still working in public transit 21 years later. 

Mr. Andoh’s experience includes managing rural, small urban, and large urban transit systems throughout the U.S., with an emphasis on working with transit systems in need of rejuvenation or implementation of new program services, as well as restructuring systems for operational efficiencies. 

Previously, Mr. Andoh held the position of Executive Director of the Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority (the COMET) in Columbia, SC for three years. There he led innovations, including transforming the public transit agency into a mobility manager.

“I implemented multiple services such as van pools, bike sharing, flexible demand responsive services, and a lot of technical advances,” explains Mr. Andoh, whose work has taken him from California to Oregon and South Carolina, and landed him here in Hawai’i earlier this year.

“Mayor Mitch Roth brought me to Hawai’i County to implement the actions detailed in the transit and multimodal transportation master plan adopted in 2018,” says Mr. Andoh of his big move to the Big Island. “Additionally, I came onboard to restructure Hele-On to be a true economic driver for this island, and bring in new modes to help move people around.”

These modes include the department’s partnership with People for Active Transportation Hawai’i (PATH) to put into action HIBIKE, van pools, partnerships with Lyft and Uber, and a new route network that will make it easy for everyone to get around the island.

Mass Transit Fun Fact:  Also known as demand-responsive transport, demand-responsive services, or flexible transport services, flexible demand responsive services are a form of shared private or semi-public transport for groups traveling where vehicles generally pick up and drop off passengers in locations based on the passengers’ needs. This can include buses, taxis, or other vehicles. 

Big Changes to the Big Island’s Mass Transit System 

“Many people have this idea that transit systems which include affordable mass transit and micro mobility options are just for cities,” says PATH’s executive director, Jessica Thompson. “It’s common to think that only those who live in New York City, L.A., or another metropolis can use transit as a way to get around without a car or single occupancy vehicle.”

Fortunately, John Andoh’s work is quickly proving that transit systems are for communities of all shapes and sizes. And rural areas such as communities on Hawai’i Island are hardly an exception. 

That’s not to say that improving transit systems in large areas that are regarded as more rural doesn’t come with its challenges, as Mr. Andoh experienced first hand in Columbia, SC. There, his department served not one but two counties, Richland and Lexington Counties. 

“Columbia is a large urban area but the surrounding areas are highly rural. Their transit needs were just as important as an urban area,” says Mr. Andoh, revealing that he learned how to meet those needs while working in Columbia. “In the case of the 4200-square mile island of Hawai’i, there is a need for people who work on one side to get efficiently and safely across to the other side of the island. Meeting that need is of paramount concern!”

Mr. Andoh is also focusing on addressing the need for internal circulation within urbanized areas of rural environments, such as Hilo, Kailua-Kona, Waimea, and Pahoa. Multimodal opportunities in these areas would offer individuals the transportation necessary for accessing jobs, educational opportunities, healthcare, pharmacy, and recreation. 

“It can start simple, like with a bikeshare system in rural areas for “first mile, last mile” connections from a transit bus to someone’s destination,” affirms Mr. Andoh, pointing out that bikesharing can also be combined with flexible demand responsive services like a taxi, or transportation networks like Lyft and Uber. 

Even volunteer transportation is a perfect example of how to help those in areas where a traditional mainline bus service just isn’t possible. It’s an option that would recruit volunteer drivers who would be reimbursed on a mileage rate. 

History of the County’s Multimodal Transportation Plan

In 1992, Hawai’i County studied the Hele-On Transit System, which was fairly rural at the time. With an emphasis on connecting people to their jobs or housing in Hilo to jobs in West Hawai’i, the system primarily operated Monday through Saturday and had limited internal circulation within Kailua-Kona and Hilo (with a few routes that connected transit users to Pahoa, Ocean View, and Volcano).

Since 1992, Hawai’i County has grown exponentially, primarily in the Puna district, Kailua-Kona, and in the suburban areas that are connecting those communities. The transit system, on the other hand, has not caught up. 

The lack of growth coupled with inability to deliver reliable services to the island prompted the County Council to restudy the transit system and set the framework for successfully providing public transportation island-wide for the next 20 years.

Highlights of Hawaii’s Mass Transit Plan

The hub-and-spoke model and so much more!

From 2015 to 2018, a consultant team was engaged to study Hawai’i Island transportation patterns, reviewing the island’s various communities and making transit system recommendations. 

In August of 2018, a transit and multimodal transportation master plan was adopted. Included in the master plan’s key elements and principal goals is the initiative to redesign the entire transit network, transforming it into a hub-and-spoke system.

Mass Transit Fun Fact:  Hub-and-spoke describes a fixed-route transit system designed to offer routes (the spokes) that all join at a central point (the hub). Hub-and-spoke riders travel through the hub to reach different points on the various spokes. 

In denser areas like Honolulu on Oahu, feeder routes go into hubs and connect people to intercommunity routes, linking them to other hubs and ultimately to their destination. 

The multimodal component of Mass Transit’s master plan includes a paratransit service, which provides transportation for persons with disabilities who cannot take traditional Hele-On bus services. Other multimodal components include enhancements to our shared-ride taxi program, which would include partnerships with Lyft and Uber. A shared-ride program would also benefit communities where transportation options may be limited, enabling people to get around the urbanized areas of Hawai’i Island.

To further promote demand-responsive specialized programs, a partnership with the Hawai’i County Economic Opportunities Council and the Brantley Center (a non-profit serving Hawai’i Island residents with disabilities) would provide door-to-door services for anyone needing to travel for shopping, education, recreation, and medical appointments. These services would be available in areas where there is generally no Hele-On bus service whatsoever.

Another partnership between Mass Transit and PATH aims to provide bikesharing opportunities, offering riders a connection from the transit system to other destinations in the area. It’s an excellent transportation option for the first or last mile of a transit system rider’s commute! 

“We have multiple stations that we are funding in partnership with PATH to demonstrate intermodal connection,” Mr. Andoh states. “We’re also launching an opportunity for Hele-On passengers to ride HIBIKEs at no additional cost. All they have to do is get a code from a bus operator!”

A Department of Education (DOE) partnership is in place for anyone in need of school bus transportation. The Department provides bus service in neighborhoods around the island, ensuring access to educational opportunities for Hawaii’s students. To get a bus pass for accessing Hele-On services to a school nearby, passengers can apply with the DOE through the Student Transportation Office. 

Here’s Some Info on Getting a Bus Pass Through DOE:  Riding the Bus

In 2022, a van pool program will be launched as an extension of the Mass Transit system, enabling commuters to form van pools subsidized by Hawai’i County. Since passengers will be able to travel to employment sites on the island at their discretion, their van pool group may have parking, set the schedule, set their fares, and essentially run their own mini transit service to connect people. 

“We’re going to continue to study carsharing services and other multimodal options so that we can offer true mobility opportunities for people who need to get around the island,” Mr. Andoh attests. “Ultimately, the end goal is to reduce traffic congestion and drive economic opportunities for our island.”  

Improved Hele-On Services

“This multimodal transportation plan might look different from what many people have in their mind when they think of mass transit systems, like what Hele-On was 20 years ago,” says PATH’s Jessica Thompson. “This improved system is much more than the traditional bus moving people back and forth!” 

Some of the differences? For starters, a later bus service schedule, services on Sundays and holidays, and frequent routes that run on consistent headways. Additionally, the number of routes and trips has been increased, east-west connections and airport trips added, and the transfer process simplified. 

The fleet replacement plan has also been completed and the process of purchasing brand new buses to replace the entire Hele-On fleet is underway. Over the next two to three years, grants will make it possible to get a total of 37 new buses! 

Long term, fleet replacement will include transitioning from vehicles that run on diesel and fossil fuels to vehicles that are zero-emissions, running on electricity, battery, and / or hydrogen. The first goal is to replace the entire fleet by 2025 with a reliable fleet to deliver all the services outlined in the master plan.

Phase 2 will bring alternatives to the traditional bus to subdivisions such as Hawaiian Paradise Park, Hawaiian Acres, Orchidland Estates, Ocean View, and along the Hamakua Coast. Either micro transit or small vehicles will run in these areas, connecting people from mainline Hele-On routes to their actual neighborhoods.

“In the past three months, we’ve launched the first phase of the master plan and restructured all the routes island-wide,” Mr. Andoh elaborates. “We’ve also added new routes, including a route that connects Hilo to Kailua-Kona via the Daniel K. Inouye Highway (Saddle Road), new routes in downtown Hilo, more routes to the Kona International Airport, redesigned routes in the Kailua-Kona area to make trips seamless, and integrated the Kona Trolley into the Hele-On system.”

More new routes are scheduled for February, including a route enabling riders in Na’alehu, Ocean View, and Pahala to go to Hilo and return via mass transit the same day. Another route will create a loop offering riders the option of circling the entire island, which could be popular with tourists. 

Also being planned are bus stop improvements, more bus shelters, and the full construction of bus hubs, where routes will connect in off-road locations. 

“We also want to foster transit-oriented development, which will spur additional density in those areas where we have hubs. At these hubs could be community centers featuring buildings with restrooms, maybe a community room for meetings or higher educational opportunities, and customer service for getting transit information and bus passes,” says Mr. Andoh, adding that an environmental assessment is in the works for a Pahoa bus hub that could even include a public library.

What’s more, the countywide Hele-On bus system could become free of charge, according to a statement John Andoh made to the County Council earlier this month. Since federal funding is based on total ridership, the two-year, fare-free pilot program might actually bring more money into the county than charging for the service. 

With ridership at approximately 300,000 passengers per year, Hawai’i County’s bus system collects only $560,000 annually in bus fares. That’s 1% of annual revenues. On the other hand, a $700 annual bus fare bill significantly impacts low-income passengers who depend on the bus.

“When you’re on a large, rural island, there is a great need to personalize these transportation modes,” adds Jessica Thompson. “And the mass transit team is going to be an innovator in that regard.”

Convenient Options for Payment & Route Planning 

From a growing number of transit centers that accept credit cards and a mobile ticketing app, to an updated website that includes maps plotting suggested routes, Hawai’i County Mass Transit has made substantial gains in technology in the six months since John Andoh took over the position of interim Administrator.

“We now accept credit cards at Mo’oheau Bus Terminal and our main office for people who want to buy monthly passes, as well as 10-ride ticket books, paratransit tickets, and rideshare taxis,” says Mr. Andoh, adding that a recent soft launch of a service called Token Transit allows passengers to buy their bus fare on an app. “You can use a credit card or even a cash wallet.”

Soon, Mass Transit riders should be able to use an app to plan their trip, in addition to seeing how many bikes are at a HIBIKE bikeshare station, paying their transit fares, and ordering a Lyft or Uber ride.

“You will also be able to plan your trip using the Google Transit Trip Planner,” Mr. Andoh continues. “And even compare transit times on a Hele-On bus to the time it would take to walk, bike, or drive.”

On routes 2o2 and 204 in Kailua-Kona, a hydrogen pilot project is also being actualized. Anticipated to arrive in January of 2022, the first hydrogen bus will present a fantastic opportunity to test zero-emissions transit. 

In the meantime in Hilo, there is an electric bus from automotive and energy storage company Proterra currently running and another demonstration bus that runs on electricity.

Rebranding for Consistency

This is just the beginning! John Andoh and Mass Transit are working to add covered benches at bus stops and replace old signage with new signs to display bus route numbers.

It’s all part of a rebranding initiative that includes a new logo, designed around a red  ‘?hi’a lehua flower.

“With this one, consistent paint scheme, all the buses on Hawai’i Island will be recognizable,” asserts Mr. Andoh, explaining that as far as the design goes, two options currently exist. “There are two options for YOU to choose from on the Hele-On social media pages. We invite you to participate in that vote!”

To Vote Now, Follow Us on Social Media!

Facebook.com/heleonbushawaii 

Instagram.com/heleonbus

Hele-On’s YouTube Channel

Twitter.com/heleonbus

HeleOnBus.org is also being redesigned to make the website more user-friendly and provide helpful information, so everyone can utilize bus fare, transit, bike share, taxis, demand responsive van pool services, and other multimodal services.

Integration of the HIBIKE Bikeshare System

In 2016, PATH’s partnership with the County of Hawaii’s Research & Development Department piloted a bikeshare system in Kailua-Kona to test how bikeshare could work on Hawai’i Island, which was eventually expanded to the Hilo area. As part of this expansion, Mass Transit came on to start subsidizing the bikeshare operation,  incorporating it into the family of services provided by the agency. 

“Expanding bikeshare and having more stations in the Hilo and Kailua-Kona areas, and potentially in Pahoa and Waimea, is another goal,” says John Andoh, pointing out that it’s vital to promote safe bike riding in those areas. Bikeshare stations with parking lots for those who want to park and ride is also on the table. 

Since bikesharing serves as the first mile and last mile connection for those who need to get to or from the bus, as well as promotes active, healthy transportation and exercise, it’s important to have this bikeshare system as part of Hawai’i County’s multi-mobility or multimodal transportation plan. 

Bikeshare stations are also incredibly beneficial in areas where a bus route may not make sense because the destination may be close enough to mainline transit. And establishing bikeshare stations near bus routes to get to and from an off-route location eliminates the need to deviate a mainline transit route. 

Another form of mobility management, HIBIKE Bikeshare is one example of a program that will help articulate the Mass Transit Agency’s mission to connect and move people in Kailua-Kona, Hilo, and beyond. 

For those who want to go from the Kings Shops or Queens Marketplace to the Hilton after shopping, it would certainly be pleasant to ride a bike back instead of making that hot walk or very short drive… and soon, we may be able to! 

“As other communities get further developed, perhaps we can add HIBIKE in Ocean View, Pahoa, and Waikoloa Resorts,” says Mr. Andoh.

Planning Your Trip

While the lifespan of the transit and multimodal transportation master plan is 20 years, the plan’s main elements can be accomplished by 2025 at the latest. In fact, many components of the master plan have already been implemented, making it easier to plan your trip using mass transit on Hawai’i Island every day! 

The customer service center is already up and running. Here’s how to connect with the center!

• Call 808-961-8744, option #1
• Hours are Mon – Sun, 7am – 5pm
• Schedules are available online at www.HeleOnBus.org

“Also, once we have our general transit speed specification finalized, it will be possible to use Google Maps, Apple Maps, Bing Maps, or third-party app developers like Transit and Moovit to plan trips.”

We’re also working to add automatic vehicle locator (AVL) services on all of our vehicles, so you can see where vehicles are in real time,” says Mr. Andoh, confirming that this app will also be a game changer for anyone who dreads standing outside, wondering when their bus is going to arrive and why it’s not on time. 

“For routes that run less frequently than an hour, you’ll be able to see if your bus is running late using the AVL system,” Mr. Andoh explains. With this knowledge, passengers can use that time to run errands or grab some food, and return to the bus stop minutes before their bus actually arrives. A game changer indeed! 

Bringing Big Changes to the Big Island’s Mass Transit System: The Takeaway

“It used to take three hours to go between Hilo and Kona, and now it takes a little over an hour. Just having a bus going over Saddle Rd. is a game changer for so many people!”  says PATH’s Jessica Thompson. “We’re already headed in the right direction and we’re just getting started!”

Working toward active transportation multimodal options that are accessible requires an implementation plan, the right partners, and the courage to try something that is fundamentally different from what people are used to.

It takes hard work and community support, but Hawai’i Island is closer than ever to being a community where anyone who has to go anywhere has options to get there in a way that’s affordable, convenient, reliable, safe, and good for the health of people and the planet. 

Missed PATH’s virtual talk story with Mr. Andoh? Not to worry!

You can watch it here:  PATH Connections: John Andoh talks Mass Transit on Hawai’i Island

HAWAI’I COUNTY’S VISION ZERO INITIATIVE

A motorcyclist is in critical condition after a collision with a car. A driver accidentally hits and kills a pedestrian. It seems that not a day goes by without the news reporting on a traffic crash on Hawai’i Island.

“That’s just Big Island traffic,” is a common sentiment. But what if we didn’t have to accept this endangerment of vehicle drivers, motorcyclists, and pedestrians as a way of life?

Changing Our Approach to Traffic Safety

According to traditional traffic safety approaches, traffic deaths are inevitable and saving lives is expensive!

Unlike traditional traffic safety approaches, Vision Zero proposes that what have long been called “accidents” are more likely related to our decisions and systems. The choices we make have far greater impacts than we have accepted in the past, especially at the policy level and related to the built environment.

Vision Zero acknowledges that traffic fatalities on roadways are preventable and defines traffic collisions as a systemic problem. To solve this problem, it’s vital to have collective action, political will, and a multi-disciplinary, comprehensive approach.

Vision Zero’s Worldwide Momentum

Vision Zero emphasizes the need for data-driven strategies that prioritize effective solutions for eliminating fatalities on roadways. First implemented in Sweden when the Swedish parliament adopted it as the official road policy in 1997, Vision Zero has since spread across the globe and is gaining momentum in cities across the U.S.

Rather than completely blaming drivers and other users of the transportation system, Vision Zero places the primary responsibility for accidents on the overall system design, addressing infrastructure design, vehicle technology, and enforcement. As a result, Sweden now has one of the lowest annual rates of road deaths in the world (three out of 100,000 as compared to 12.3 in the U.S.). What’s more, their fatalities involving pedestrians have dropped nearly 50% in the last five years!

Vision Zero Launched in Hawai’i

Hawai’i County Planning Director Michael Yee first learned about Vision Zero when visiting the state of Washington. Impressed by the program’s success specifically in Seattle, Yee returned to Hawai’i and brought the program to the attention of Tina Clothier, who was PATH’s executive director at the time.

“Hawai’i County had and still has the highest per capita death rate in the state from traffic fatalities, which is unreasonable and incomprehensible,” says Tina. “Loss of life is not an acceptable price to pay for mobility.”

In 2019, PATH and Yee presented Vision Zero’s systems approach to Mayor Kim, emphasizing that people have safer options to move about their communities, whether bicycling, driving, or riding transit. After being asked to adopt Vision Zero as an initiative, Mayor Kim authorized the development of a Vision Zero task force, which was made up of individuals from different departments and various state and county agencies, as well as private citizens, organizations like Blue Zone, and PATH.

Hawaii’s Vision Zero Mission Statement & Principals

Hawaii’s Vision Zero Mission Statement is to eliminate all traffic fatalities and severe injuries on our roadways, while increasing safe, healthy, equitable mobility for all by 2030. Through the Vision Zero Action Plan, the County of Hawai’i and our partners are working to prevent severe crashes as well as fatalities, which requires a shift in philosophy.

It’s an approach that prioritizes the preservation of human life over the convenience of travelling quickly on the streets and roads across our island. One that says traffic deaths are preventable if we take into account that humans make mistakes and then accommodate those failings on our roadways through good design.

Vision Zero’s principals include a focus on system level changes on Hawai’i Island. That’s why PATH is working with many different departments to create plans that will change the current dynamic – Here’s looking at our partners in change, which include the Dept. of Public Works, Hawai’i County Police, and island healthcare organizations!

The most integral Vision Zero principal is undoubtedly this: Each community is unique!

As such, communities should have a voice in defining issues, determining what safety on the roadways looks like for them, and developing solutions for their own community.

Data-Driven Action Through Vision Zero

Vision Zero is an initiative driven by data from the Hawai’i County Police Department, Hawai’i Department of Transportation, NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System, NHTSA National Center for Statistics and Analysis, and the U. S. Census Bureau.

On Hawai’i Island, one of Vision Zero’s goals is to share fatal traffic crash data that everyone’s system can understand, and do so in a seamless and timely manner. Thus far, crash data from the years 2013 to 2019 was analyzed for the purpose of identifying data correlations, so those working to prevent traffic deaths could make informed decisions and take action.

What did the data reveal? Who the most vulnerable road users are, among other things. It’s no surprise that people traveling by foot, bicycle, motorcycle, or moped are at much greater risk of being killed than those in automobiles!

The data maps also made it clear that the high fatality networks are all along the highway from Kona to Hilo to Volcano. Of these fatalities, 67% occurred on state-owned roads, while 28% occurred on county-owned roads, which generally experience more congestion in high population areas.

Most people assume correctly that speed is a factor. In fact, 41% of traffic crashes involve excessive speed. And the majority of these crashes actually occur in areas where a speed limit of 35 mph or less is posted.

Here are some other statistics that are even more staggering:

• 28% of roadside crashes were the result of someone leaving the roadway and going into barriers or trees

• 13% of pedestrians hit at 20 mph actually suffer fatality

• 73% of pedestrians hit at 40 mph suffer fatality

• 25% of fatal crashes were the result of distracted driving… So PLEASE put those cell phones away and pay attention to the road!

• 56% of fatal crashes were the result of alcohol or drugs

• 41% of fatal crashes occurred in light trucks and vans

• 49% of crashes occur during the day, outside of peak traffic hours

• Of all the crash fatalities, most were males between 20 to 24-years old.

After a year of analyzing the data, the Vision Zero Task Force used it as the basis for a set of action plans within the Five E’s: Engineering, education, enforcement, encouragement, and evaluation.

Implementing these plans is the first step in reducing and ultimately eliminating traffic fatalities!

“As a system, we need to bring these numbers down. In 2021, PATH has been instrumental in keeping this work front of mind, despite challenges,” says Jessica Thompson, Executive Director of PATH.

“The pandemic shifted our focus slightly off of traffic crash prevention. We also had a mayoral administration change, which creates a lag time as they get their cabinets settled. But Mayor Roth has been a long-time supporter of Vision Zero. He was a member of the task force when he was a Hawai’i County prosecutor and is a big believer in systemically making changes to mitigate fatalities.”

The Law of the Splintered Paddle

Hawaiian history tells us that young Kamehameha was once an aggressive chief. The story goes that the young chief even chased after two fishermen in a Puna fishing village. While pursuing them, his foot got stuck in a crevice, and one of the fishermen struck Kamehameha over the head with his paddle in defense, which splintered into pieces.

After the incident, Kamehameha recognized that it was wrong to misuse his power and learned compassion. Years later, Kamehameha declared a new law, “K?n?wai M?malahoe” or “the Law of the Splintered Paddle.” Meant to protect the innocent and vulnerable from unprovoked attacks, this law proclaimed that the defenseless (especially k?puna and keiki) across Hawai’i be able to sleep safely on the side of the road, unharmed.

The law provided for the safety of non-warriors during wartime and became the first written law of the Kingdom of Hawai‘i. After being added back in 1978, the law is part of Hawaii’s State Constitution today.

It is symbolic of servant leadership, reinforcing the importance of:

• Caring for and serving one’s people

• Knowing and doing what is pono (right)

• Standing for the principle that leadership privilege is earned

• Taking kuleana (responsibility) for those we serve

• Doing so with compassion, love, and respect

“We take that to mean that anyone who uses our roadways should be able to do so without fear of harm,” explains Tina.

A Growing (and Deadly) Concern

A year-to-date comparison reveals that this year, there were 616 major accidents as compared to 594 during the same period last year. And statistics show that in the first 10 months of this year, Hawai’i County’s traffic-related fatalities rose from 13 last year to 22, with most incidents involving motor vehicles. Of the 22 fatalities, 9 involved motorcycles and scooters, 11 involved motor vehicles, 1 involved pedestrians, and 1 involved an ATV operator.

In response to this surge in traffic crashes, PATH is partnering with the government on local and state levels to establish evidence-based systems that ensure the safety of our most vulnerable road users.

“People will make mistakes while they’re driving – We are human. But our road designs and our speeds do NOT have to dictate that when we make mistakes, those mistakes are fatal,” says Tina.

“We have created a system that has traffic fatalities and injuries built into it. We know that we can change that system because it’s been done in other places, eliminating traffic related deaths,” affirms Jessica, who sat on Portland’s Vision Zero task force before moving to Hawai’i to work for PATH. “We also know that bicyclists and pedestrians are our most vulnerable road users. If you drill down on that data, you know that the people who are most at risk are often people who have the least access to single-occupancy vehicles, and are walking or bicycling on our roadways.”

Changing the System

Traffic deaths are NOT accidents. Simply put, they are death by design.

But what can we collectively do to change the system?

PATH is committed to facilitating task force meetings and working through an action plan list. What’s more, Mayor Roth and Hawai’i County are hosting a Vision Zero website listing crash data, which will be updated as more data is attained.

To change the system requires a more timely exchange of data, from the Dept. of Transportation and NHTSA, to the Police Dept. and Public Works. Doing so can result in more timely crash audits and provide insight as to how and why a crash happened… and what design elements we can change to mitigate this in the future!

“Never give up!” says Tina, offering a piece of advice for those working to create safer options here on Hawai’i Island. “This takes collaboration and understanding of the long-term nature of planning. It’s like pushing a boulder up a 20% grade incline. I believe that we have and will continue to push it over and onto level ground!”

Additionally, we can all commit to meeting with different members of our community and mobilizing them to help develop an educational program, so we can move the traffic fatalities trend in the right direction… to zero!

PATH

PATH is committed to elevating the efforts of community groups and Hawai’i County to create more multi-modal trails for active transportation in Hawai’i, with an emphasis on developing more protected places for people to use mobility devices, walk, or bike on Hawai’i Island.

The Waimea Streamside Trail’s Impact on the Health of the Public & the Planet 

At present, Ke Ala Kahawai O Waimea is a two-mile, round-trip trail that is accessible year-round and can be picked up from the Waimea Nature Park, across from Merriman’s Restaurant or Kahawai Street.

Appropriate for all skill levels, the trail is primarily used for walking, running, biking and nature trips. Trail users can hear the tranquil stream as they are traveling along and observe the 36 species of Native Hawaiian ground cover, shrubs, and trees being restored to the area through a partnership with the Department of Parks and Recreation, Waimea Trails and Greenways Committee, and the Outdoor Circle of Waimea. Waimea’s Streamside Trail is also level, shaded, and keiki-friendly. 

“The trail can be used in so many different ways, whatever your interest. The multifaceted wide-reaching nature of this trail is what makes it beautiful and valuable,” says Waimea resident Lisa DeSantis, Community Coordinator for Hawai’i Public Health Institute (HIPHI), a non-profit involved in Waimea Trails and Greenways’ Projects. 

“And it’s always changing from day to day. One day someone might be using the stream to teach their keiki about rocks and water. The next day, I’ll see a dog splashing happily through the water. It has its own character and changes!”

“HIPHI is interested in the trail from the public health perspective. Greater physical activity means less health issues,” she says, explaining the connection between trail use and improved public health. 

According to research, when more people get outdoors and on trails, the result is a significant decrease in diastolic blood pressure, salivary cortisol, and heart rate. It has also been linked to substantial reductions in diabetic incidents and cardiovascular mortality.

“And more people on trails means less traffic for those that still have to drive,” explains Lisa. “The trail can be used to get to work and school, mitigating HPA school traffic and even stress. If you’re not dropping your kid off, you don’t have that stress of getting through traffic.”

For Lisa, interest in Ke Ala Kahawai O Waimea has also become personal.

“I noticed litter on the trail and now I have a litter grabber to pick it up because I don’t want to see trash on my route anymore!” Lisa says of the understanding of m?lama ‘aina that trail use fosters. “When you’re on the trails, you develop a sense of ownership of the land.” 

For Waimea residents and tourists, single occupancy vehicles are currently the primary mode of transportation. So from an environmental sustainability standpoint, more people on trails can mean less people in cars. And fewer cars means less emissions and more support for Hawaii’s goal of making the state carbon net-negative by no later than 2045. 

Recognizing Progress and Aiming for Expansion

Great progress has been made on the ongoing Ke Ala Kahawai O Waimea project. People for Active Transportation (PATH) has helped secure a RAISE grant for the project. Additionally, trail signs have been installed and collaboration with Parker Ranch on this community project continues, with an emphasis on opening up the next mile, going to the Waimea Transfer Station across from the Sandalwood subdivision. “From there, you can see the planting terraces and auwai (ancient canals),” Clemson states. 

 Waimea’s Streamside Trail now follows the Waikoloa Stream through Waimea town. Here you’ll find dog walkers, joggers, and off-road bicyclists enjoying the placid stream, including Clemson.

“The trail is between my house and my office. And for my four-mile bike ride to work, I get on the trail and hear birds, see people I know, and see the work my neighbors have done on the trail,” Clemson says. “Right now, my commute is NOT safe though, so I understand why people would rather drive. But imagine if everyone could walk or bike to work instead of drive? We could get our work-out done on our way to work!”

This is enough to motivate his own efforts on maintaining the one mile of trail that’s currently open and working tirelessly to expand the trail in the future. 

The trail’s growth depends on federal funding, and as such, goals for Ke Ala Kahawai O Waimea include making it an Active Travel Corridor (ATC) to qualify for federal funding. ATCs are “people only” paths connecting those walking, running, and biking to parks, schools and other neighborhoods.

“In Hawai’i Section 106, permitting with regards to historical properties tends to be the critical path when delivering federal-aid projects. In anticipation of federal funding, we have already begun the process and are nearing completion of our Section 106 consultation with a determination of ‘no effect to historic properties’,” Clemson attests. 

Other goals include paving the trail to make it wheel-chair accessible and advancing efforts to expand the paved trail to 4.8 miles (following the Waikoloa Stream from Church Row down to a County Park across from South Kohala View Estates). To achieve these goals, the community and Hawai’i County must join forces. And we can start by simply using the trail! 

Working Together to Open up Waimea’s Streamside Trail

On your weekday lunch or after swinging by the weekend Farmers’ Market, park at Ulu La’au and go for a stroll, following the stream. About a mile into your walk, you’ll notice a counter. Installed in June of this year by Barett Otani (assistant  to Mayor Roth), the counter is intended to determine how many people use the trail daily. And increased use of Ke Ala Kahawai O Waimea means more data to submit as proof that the trail is a valuable asset to the community. 

Trail improvements and expansion also depend on the volunteers that maintain it, such as workers from HPA, Parker School, Waimea School, Kaiser Permanente, and Sales Force who have been involved in everything from spreading chips to clearing the stream on workdays.   

But you don’t have to wait until a workday to make a difference. Just ask Forest Horwatt, a Waimea resident who was walking his dog on the trail one day when he saw volunteers working. 

“About five years ago, I got on the trail after another dog walker told me about it. Being on the trail keeps my dog happy,” says Forest, explaining how he uses his weed eater to do trail maintenance about once a month. “I’ve been volunteering for the past year and a half when I have time. And periodically I meet up with other volunteers for workdays.”

Admittedly, Forest’s dog isn’t the only one who enjoys the trail. 

“I always tell people about the trail – I love it! It’s awesome that we can have a little hike in the middle of town.”

“And there are definitely more people walking now,” Forest continues. “I’d like to see more people use it, but people don’t realize it’s there! 

 “The Waikoloa Stream runs through the center of town, but people don’t even know about it unless they get on the trail,” agrees Clemson. “Once it’s finished, however, it will be open to the widest range of people possible and everyone will be able to reap the benefits.” 

Opening up the trail for increased stream visibility is another vision that Clemson and Forest share. “We need funds and volunteers to remove the weeds though,” Forest asserts. “It would be cool if carpenters could help with signage too.”  

It will take a collaborative effort, but in the end Waimea Trails and Greenways will provide a paved, shared-use pathway that is separated from vehicular travel, making it more attractive and feasible for pedestrians and bicyclists of all abilities and ages to enjoy the outdoors while shifting away from motor vehicles.

“I want it to shine so people see that it’s great!” Forest exclaims. “I wish more people knew how cool it is and how much better it could be if even one other person volunteered. A little bit of time once a month really does make a difference.”

“The Waikoloa Stream was an important part of life in Waimea. ‘Wai’ means water and ‘koloa’ refers to a sound. ‘Ko’ refers to sweet and ‘loa’ refers to gentle. Put the two words together and you get ‘pleasant’ or ‘a pleasant sounding stream’,” Leningrad says, before explaining how the sound comes from the muffled tumbling of rocks in a stream that is not rushing downhill, which was likely a pleasant change for those men who came to Waimea to recuperate from battle elsewhere.

“The Hawaiians made canals that drew water from the stream to grow taro. And the Ki Puu Puu warriors likely crossed the stream’s trail on their way to practice Pelu,” Leningrad reminds us. “Later, the trail became a place for the Marines to recover.”

From the ancient Ki Puu Puu to the Camp Tarawoa Marines, Ke Ala Kahawai O Waimea is a place of historical significance. By promoting its expansion, we honor the warriors of years gone by while giving our community a place to recover, invest in our health, and connect safely to each other and the aina. 

PATH

PATH is committed to elevating the efforts of community groups and Hawai’i County to create more multi-modal trails for active transportation in Hawai’i, with an emphasis on developing more protected places for people to use mobility devices, walk, or bike on Hawai’i Island. 

By supporting continued development of the Ke Ala Kahawai O Waimea project and other shared-use paths and walkways through the Building Better Ways for Hawaii (#BW4H) series, we hope to encourage Hawai’i County to take action, expanding existing passageways and creating safer spaces for walkers, runners, bicyclists, and trail users. We’ve also highlighted the progress of Hilo Bayfront Trails, the Queens’ Lei, and Ala Ohia Road’s Bench Project,  so be sure to check out these blogs as well! 

“There is a local legend about two lovers – a young woman and a Ki Puu Puu warrior – who were separated by war,” says Leningrad Elarionoff, a retired police officer whose family members have deep roots in the community. A storyteller who often repeats stories long forgotten of incidents related to local landscapes, he sits under a pavilion at Ulu La’au (the Waimea Nature Park), detailing how Ke Ala Kahawai O Waimea (the Streamside Trail of Waimea) is steeped in mo’olelo. The history and legends surrounding this trail date back to prehistoric Hawaiian history, when Waimea (Kamuela) was home to the Ki Puu Puu warriors.

“The warrior and his beloved were preparing for their wedding when he was called into battle. The warrior never returned,” Leningrad continues. “He was killed in battle. And according to legend, the young woman died waiting for the warrior’s return and was buried along the trail. It is said that she still walks the trail, weeping and searching for him to this day.” 

“The young man was one of King Kamehameha’s Ki Puu Puu warriors. The Ki Puu Puu were a type of Hawaiian special forces that trained in the hills above Waimea,” says Leningrad. “The warriors were very good fighting with their hands and using their knuckles. That, combined with their ability to utilize the Hawaiian martial arts move Pelu, made them legendary!”

The Ki Puu Puu learned Pelu from an old Hawaiian man who lived close to what is now the Waimea Streamside Trail, on a hill known as Puu O’Pelu, or Hill of Pelu. Using Pelu, the Ki Puu Puu could injure an opponent’s back and make him useless. It was a move that made the warriors fierce and feared in battle.  

“The Ki Puu Puu warriors crossed this very trail on their way to practice Pelu,” Leningrad affirms. “Some even believe that the path they utilized to get to the old man’s house was eventually named Puu O’Pelu Road.”

By 1943, the area would become home to a different brand of warrior. In November of that year, 40,000 exhausted Marines from the 2nd Marine Division arrived on Hawai’i Island. Traumatized by the 76-hour Battle of Tarawa at the Tarawa Atoll (Gilbert Islands), the 2nd Marine Division went directly from fighting a gruesome battle to building their own training camp.   

Richard Smart, owner of Parker Ranch, leased 31,000 acres to the U.S. Military for $1 a year. Known as Camp Tarawa, the dusty grounds of this campsite were located between the looming peaks of Maunaloa and Maunakea. And if the foliage isn’t too dense, you may be able to catch a glimpse of Mr. Smart’s house while walking on the Ke Ala Kahawai O Waimea Streamside Trail today. 

After the 2d Marine Division left for Saipan, the 5th Marine Division moved into the base to train before being deployed to fight in the Battle of Iwo Jima in February of 1945. By November of 1945, the base was closed permanently. 

From the Ki Puu Puu warriors of ancient Hawai’i to the Camp Tarawa Marines, the Streamside Trail (a Waimea Trails and Greenways Project) keeps their memory alive, and in turn preserves the lessons we can learn from their stories.  

“Understand that the legend of the Ki Puu Puu warrior and his lover aren’t just told to explain the bones that were found here when preparing for this trail.” Leningrad points out. “These mo’olelo are meant to pass on a lesson. The young guys are the ones who suffer in battle. So when you make a decision, you need to consider who will be affected as a result. That’s the lesson.”

As for the bones, a state archeologist identified them as indeed belonging to a young female. On August 16, the bones were relocated to a more prominent location.

Connecting Waimea to Culture and Nature through Active Transportation

“Waimea means ‘There’s something in the water’ and refers to the yellowish color in the Waikoloa Stream from the hapu’u plant’s pollen,” Leningrad explains.

A center of ranching activities and paniolo culture, Waimea is a growing community whose economy is based on agriculture and a growing tourism market. Unfortunately, historic Waimea is bisected by a four-lane highway, Hawai’i Belt Road, which hinders biking and walking. 

“With a lack of walking and biking infrastructure, people couldn’t walk safely,” says Clemson Lam, Waimea Architect and Ke Ala Kahawai O Waimea Committee Chairman. “But in 1994, Main Street Waimea (a promotion of Kamuela business organization in Kamuela) was tasked with developing a program in Waimea. Out of that, we got a better idea of what people like and do not like about Waimea.”

The majority agreed that they liked Waimea’s beautiful places, but were frustrated that there were no trails providing access to those places. 

“No one could reach those places without trespassing to get to them,” Clemson recalls. “People wanted three different types of trails to access those places.”

The trail types included:

• A linear transportation corridor running east to west, for biking and walking to and from work and school safely. 
• Existing trails across private land that could be used by the public.
• Trails connecting Waimea to other communities such as Waikoloa and Honoka’a. 

With this clear definition of the community’s needs at its core, the Waimea Trails and Greenways committee was formed in 1994, meeting every Monday to look at streets, trails, and other relevant data. And Hawai’i County even hired a consultant to conduct a study and number all the trees in 1998.

In 1999, Ulu La’au was established by Waimea Outdoor Circle. And plans for the trail to safely, conveniently connect the Nature Park to schools, cultural centers, and local businesses in Waimea and beyond were moving forward slowly but surely. Unfortunately, the lengthy study of 1998 expired before action could be taken to build the trail. 

“As a committee, we were frustrated. But we had the easements, so we rolled up our sleeves and got to work building a trail! We put up a fence. We counted the number of people that walked on sidewalks at different times of day. With the hands of the community volunteers, we began to build the trail!” Clemson exclaims, detailing the work day that was organized in 2008. It took 115 volunteers four hours, but by the end of the day, Waimea had a new trail, running from Ulu La’au to Opelo Road.

“Our committee still meets once a month because there’s more work to be done. Our main focus now is to keep Hawai’i County engaged,” says Clemson. “The county has agreed to adopt the trail, which is great news! And Mayor Roth has been very helpful with this.”

PATH

PATH is committed to elevating the efforts of community groups and Hawai’i County to create more multi-modal trails for active transportation in Hawai’i, with an emphasis on developing more protected places for people to use mobility devices, walk, or bike on Hawai’i Island. Next week, we’ll look at the great progress that has been made on the ongoing Ke Ala Kahawai O Waimea project, how the community and county can work together to open up Waimea’s Streamside Trail, and more!

The #BH4H Series, Part 3: The Ala Ohia Road’s Bench Project

It’s a windy but sunny Saturday morning in Waimea. You’ve just finished perusing the Pukalani Stables Farmers’ Market and you want to find a spot to enjoy your coffee and mochi. You stroll down the Ala Ohia Road path and find a bench on the bypass to relax, sip your coffee, and gaze at majestic Mauna Kea. 

Sound like a Big Island fantasy? It doesn’t have to be. These benches exist! They’re just not ON the walking path at the moment. 

Benches in Waiting

“The Ala Ohia bypass is well used, especially now,” affirms Shirley Ann Fukumoto of Waimea. “COVID shut down community recreation and it is on hold … again. So naturally many people want to exercise outside where it’s safe.”

The bypass butts up against Waimea’s Luala’i Subdivision and is a popular spot for biking as a family, walking the dog, and going for a run, to name a few uses.

“Moms can push their keiki in a stroller. Our senior citizens can go for a midday walk. But they just can’t sit down and find some respite – Something our kupuna need!” says Shirley Ann’s good friend Carol Ignacio. “That’s what makes the Ala Ohia Bench Project so needed and worthwhile for the community, especially our kupuna.”

It’s a necessity that was first made apparent to Carol in the middle of the Waimea KTA Supermarket, where she was working for the Blue Zones Project, giving cooking demos in support of the project’s initiative to help everyone in Hawai’i make healthier choices. 

“I was giving a demo at the KTA in Kamuela when an elderly woman stopped by to share something with me,” Carol recalls. “She said ‘The doctors tell us to walk to stay healthy. The Ala Ohia Road is wonderful, but we need a place to walk that is safe and we can rest along the way’.”

The conversation illuminated a need that Carol just couldn’t ignore. It wasn’t long before she became the igniter that would spark a new project for the benefit of the community. 

“She is a community catalyst,” says Shirley Ann of how Carol worked on behalf of the seniors in Waimea to initiate a project that would result in 12 benches for the Ala Ohia path. 

“I told the Blue Zones’ team what happened at KTA and suggested some benches for the elderly to sit,” Carol explains. “I knew we could raise the money, so I took on the responsibility of raising funds for the benches!”

Carol’s fundraising efforts were a success, even in the face of challenges. 

“I was at a food bank meeting, sitting next to Warren Lee, former HELCO president and Director of the County’s Public Works Department, when Shirley Ann and I realized we didn’t have enough money. One bench is $850!” Carol recalls. “Warren responded by buying us a bench and the meeting facilitator bought another.” 

KTA Super Stores also sponsored two benches, and other generous organizations soon followed suit and sponsored a bench, including: 

• `Ahahui K`ahumanu Society
• Canada France Hawai`i Telescope
• Hawaii Preparatory Academy
• Queen’s North Hawai`i Community Hospital
• Veterinary Associates (Lisa Wood)
• Waimea Senior Citizens Club
• West Hawaii Concrete
• Where Talk Works (Linda Colburn)
• M. Keck Observatory

In between sending fundraising letters and working through PATH on funding, Carol and Shirley Ann worked with Parker Ranch on zoning and did research on benches that would be able to handle the elements in Waimea.

“It took some time to even research benches, but in the end, we went with Belson Outdoors in Illinois to build them. Belson was awesome because they helped us get benches that can withstand Waimea’s sun and wind and rain,” Shirley Ann explains. “Because they agreed that the bench project was such an important community initiative, Belson even gave us a generous discount!”  

“By the time I retired from Blue Zones in 2020, we had collected most of the money. This speaks to just how valuable kupuna is in our culture,” says Carol.

When Carol left Blue Zones to help with a family business, Shirley Ann stepped in, working with Blue Zones liaison Karen Teshima and garnering more sponsors to purchase the 12 benches. 

“If Shirley Ann had not taken the reins for this project, it would not be happening,” Carol attests. “She worked with Hawai’i County and ordered the benches.”

From Vision to Reality

“The work we do is all about nature and about improving people’s lives. The Ala Ohia Bench Project is an example of this, and of working on actual needs versus perceived needs,” Carol states. “It started with 10, but we have 12 benches now.”

County Council Member Herbert “Tim” Richards, III stepped up to fund the shipping expenses for the benches and is assisting with the title transfer.

“I fully support this project from its inception, as the Ala ‘Ohia trail is the type of rural street and/or pathway unique to areas like Waimea,” he states.  “Locations like these that have been cared for by the community are perfect areas for our residents and visitors, especially our Kupuna, wherein many come to exercise, walk, get fresh air, and to be able to sit and rest a bit before continuing on the path.  These benches will serve our Waimea community well and I am excited to see this project come to fruition.”

When the Ala Ohia Bench Project is finished, there will be 12 benches over the course of two miles. 

“We are grateful for Hawai’i County – They are integral to taking this project to the next level!” adds Shirley Ann. “And we’re grateful that PATH has helped us receive the funds for the benches!”

With the support of the community and Hawai’i County, the Ala Ohia Bench Project can grow from a vision that began with the kupuna of Waimea into a reality for visitors and residents alike. The 12 benches that will one day line the path will offer keiki, kupuna, and their families the opportunity to take a break mid-walk before heading back to Pukalani Stables or home to the Luala’i Subdivision.

Or even before continuing on to Ulu La’au (the Waimea Nature Park)! By using the crosswalk, it is possible to safely cut across to the park and pick up another important, local trail. Stay tuned for the next PATH blog to find out more about this beautiful trail and its significance to the past and future of Waimea! 

In the meantime, we invite you to visit Ala Ohia Road’s path if you have yet to experience it.

“There is something about place that speaks to you. Go to the path and you’ll feel its mana and understand why this project is so important,” Carol implores. 

PATH

PATH is working to elevate the efforts of walking/biking/running advocates in Hawai’i County, with an emphasis on creating more protected places for people to use mobility devices, walk, or bike on Hawai’i Island. By supporting continued development of the Ala Ohia Road’s path and benches, and other biking paths and walkways through the Building Better Ways for Hawaii (#BW4H) series, we hope to encourage the community and Hawai’i County to take action, expanding existing passageways and creating safer spaces for walkers, runners, bicyclists, and trail users.

The #BW4H Series, Part 2

In the past, the love and respect that Hawai’i residents had for the aina were unmatched. They traveled by foot on ancient paths and lived in a symbiotic relationship with the island and its rhythms. This was a relationship modeled by generation after generation of Hawaiian royalty, including Analea (Ane) Keohokalole and her descendants.

Today, Kona, HI visitors and residents are largely disconnected from this relationship. Our lack of pathways means that we just can’t travel by foot or by bike as much as Hawai’i inhabitants did in the past. Instead of bicycling, walking, and running on accessible paths, we must resign to running and biking on the road with motorized vehicles – An option that is not only aesthetically unappealing and noisy, but often dangerous as we breathe in fumes from passing automobiles and risk being hit by distracted drivers.

Those of us who venture away from the main roads are grateful for the few off-road options in Kona, but they are short and increasingly overpopulated. It would seem that connecting with the natural beauty of West Hawai’i is too much to ask.

But what if there was a way to mend the disconnect?

Mending the Disconnect Between Us and Our Aina

For decades, the idea of building a trail that circumnavigates all of Hawai’i Island has been a dream of many Hawai’i residents who want to mend the growing disconnect between us and our aina.

“It’s a wonderful concept, and since the Queens’ Lei was low-hanging fruit, we started with this project,” says Tina Cothier, former PATH Executive Director, explaining that the idea for creating a 16.75-mile circulation loop that indeed resembles a lei was born in 1997.

Named in honor of na wahine ali’i, Queen Ka’ahumanu, Queen Lili’uokalani, Queen Emma, and the Queen Mother Ane Keohokalole, the Queens’ Lei was designed to be a shared-use pathway primarily for pedestrians and bicyclists alike.

In July of 2014, project development stakeholders met with the late Hawai’i County Mayor Billy Kenoi, whose enthusiasm and support eventually made the first mile of the Queens’ Lei dream a reality.

“We also worked closely with Hawai’i County Director of Public Works, Warren Lee, and the Hawai’i County Highways Division to put the pathway down,” says Tina, who was Executive Director at the time.

Recognizing the need for biking, walking, and other non-motorized transportation options to manage the ongoing growth that North Kona experiences, the Rotary Club of Kona Sunrise, Rotary Club of Kona Mauka, and Rotary Club of Kona spent three days planting 100 trees supplied by Kelly Greenwell, owner and operator of Hawaiian Gardens, in 2016.

“Why plant trees? Because it’s one of the best ways to create a more sustainable future,” says Cindy Armer, President of PATH’s Board of Directors. “Planting trees also removes CO2 from the atmosphere, attracts native birds, and provides shade for path users!” To this day, each tree on the pathway is cared for and watered each week by a local volunteer.

The benches were provided by Bella Pietra Kona and wayfinding signs with mileage markers were made possible by a grant from Hawai’i Public Health Institute (HIPHI).

After years of hard work, PATH, Hawaii County, LavaKids, West Hawaii Rotary Clubs, and members of the community were able to gather at the West Hawaii Civic Center on April 25, 2016 for the dedication of the Queens’ Lei, which included Kahu Danny Akaka Jr’s offering of a traditional blessing of the one-mile long, shared-use pathway and a keiki dash to christen the trail.

By November 2016, the stretch of trail from Kealakehe Parkway to Palani Road was completed!

More Than a Sidewalk

Today, the Queens’ Lei is much more than a three-mile sidewalk paved along a cement road. The pathway is adjacent to the roadway while remaining a safe 25-feet distance away from the road, making it a safe and accessible place for athletes, families, keiki, kupuna, and the disabled to exercise without worrying about vehicles. And you can’t beat that refreshing ocean breeze on the makai side of the Queens’ Lei!

Already popular with LavaKids, Kealakehe High School, the West Hawai’i Office of Aging Seniors, and many other community organizations that use it for their programs, the pathway became even more of a community asset during the lockdowns of 2020. While gyms, pools, and parks closed due to the pandemic, the Queens’ Lei remained one of the few places in West Hawai’i where we could get a socially-distanced workout in or get our keiki out of the house for a bike ride.

The Echo City Knockouts, Kona’s female roller derby team, used the pathway for practice when COVID closed their flat-track down! And with its stunning views of the sunset, the Queens’ Lei is quickly becoming a world-class scenic recreational pathway that attracts Hawai’i visitors who want to get away from the hustle and bustle of Ali’i Drive.

Running past the West Hawaii Community Health Center at Kealakehe, the pathway even serves as a mutual reinforcement strategy for the Center’s Diabetes Prevention Program participants. If we keep the momentum going, the three-miles of Queens’ Lei will one day expand to a 16.7-mile loop where health care providers can refer patients for exercise.

It won’t be long before walking groups can meet on the portion closest to their homes or workplaces instead of driving all the way to the Civic Center to log a mile or two in the morning. From the airport to Kailua Village, employers will be able to incorporate any stretch of the circulation loop into their wellness initiatives.

The Lei will connect commuters traveling to work and school to the West Hawai’i Civic Center, the University of Hawai’i Palamanui Campus, public schools, the police station, commercial areas, residential communities, the Courthouse, the Kaiser Health Clinic,  the culturally significant Kaloko-Honokohau National Park, the Honokohau Harbor, public beaches, future parks, and more.

And with nearly 17 miles of recreational opportunities for West Hawai’i residents and visitors, we will be able to walk the dog, ride our bike to classes, look for the green flash at sunset, or push our keiki in a stroller under the shade of well-loved trees.

Linking the Past with the Future

Vital to community circulation, the Queens’ Lei will not only connect all of North Kona, but will also bridge the gap between our past values and the future.

But the first mile of the Queens’ Lei alone required $50,000 for completion, much of which came from Ironman World Championship Events and Kaiser Permanente. As the project continues to develop, financing the Queens’ Lei is a challenge and fundraising is imperative!

The logistics of completing the entire project are dependent on several factors, including permissions from the State and National Parks and  Hawai’i County’s involvement. While the County has expressed support of the Queen’s Lei, we have not been able to move the project forward with the State and the National Parks System.

At PATH, this is especially concerning because there are currently several transportation grants available that exist to fund non-motorized transportation projects like the Queens’ Lei! If we don’t take advantage of these grants soon, there are road projects underway that will eliminate the concept of expanding this shared-use pathway… and erase many of the benefits that the 16-mile loop could offer our community.

Also concerning is the lack of respect for the Queens’ Lei trees. Each and every one of the individuals who have adopted a tree to water and care for make the pathway such a special place to walk, ride, run, and connect, but recently, PATH has had reports that the trees’ signs were taken down or hung in trees. We don’t know who is responsible for moving the signs, and it is upsetting that this has happened. The good news is that our tree care volunteers know their trees and can still care for them despite the lack of signage.

If just for a day our king and queen

Would visit all these islands and saw everything

How would they feel about the changes of our land?

“Hawai’i ’78” by Israel Kamakawiwo’ole

Honoring Hawai’i’s Queens

“This 16.7 mile circulation loop might help address some of the loss of the mauka-makai connectors that once existed,” Tina points out. When completed, this regional trail will connect all of North Kona, enabling us to enjoy safe passage and strengthen our connection to the aina once again.

Additionally, the Queens’ Lei would honor the queens for which the pathway is named, including Queen Ka’ahumanu, a visionary who led Hawai’i to a better way of life, Queen Mother Ane Keohokalole, and her granddaughter Queen Lili’uokalani, who is credited for preserving our treasured beach access so everyone can enjoy Hawai’i’s oceanfront.

These Queen’s left an enduring legacy, and now it’s our turn to make a difference for future generations. Here are a few ways that we can take action today:

• Contact elected officials at both the County and State levels to let them know that the Queens’ Lei is important to you and your ohana, and that is should be extended as part of Phase III of Ane Keohokalole.

• Ask elected officials to apply for the grants available for non-motorized transportation.

With the help of the community and Hawai’i County, the Queens’ Lei project can be completed and this community-wide path can connect the Kona community with essential economic, educational, and recreational opportunities that live into the future.

PATH

PATH is working to elevate the efforts of walking/biking/running advocates and Hawai’i County, with an emphasis on creating more protected places for people to use mobility devices, walk, or bike on Hawai’i Island. By supporting continued development of the Queens’ Lei project and other shared-use paths and walkways through the Building Better Ways for Hawaii (#BW4H) series, we hope to encourage Hawai’i County to take action, expanding existing passageways and creating safer spaces for walkers, runners, bicyclists, and trail users. We’re shining the spotlight on the progress of Hilo Bayfront Trails, Waimea Trails and Greenways, and the Queens’ Lei all summer long, so be sure to check back soon!

The #BW4H Series, Part 1

A father teaches his kids how to ride their bikes, enjoying views of majestic Mauna Loa in the distance. A grandmother pushes a giggling baby in a stroller, breathing in the salty smell of ocean air. Two nurses take a walk in the shade, spending their lunch break listening to the sound of waves lapping against the shore. A college student jogs by, stopping to take a picture of a bright rainbow hanging between the row of coconut palms.

This isn’t a scene from a Hollywood movie or a Hallmark card commercial. This is Hilo Bayfront Trails (HBFT), a local pathway that enables residents and visitors to enjoy  Hilo Bay’s picturesque shoreline by biking, walking, or using other non-vehicular modes of travel.

HBFT was conceived in 2010 as a Hawai’i County three-phase project to plan, design, and construct a path system from the Wailuku River at Reed’s Island to Hilo Harbor’s cruise ship terminal. The project was created to be a system of paths connecting existing recreational sites along the Hilo Bayfront area, both mauka and makai of Kamehameha Ave.

The trail’s sections have grown to 5,125 feet (approximately one mile), but scenic HBFT did not appear overnight. It is the result of over a decade of community influencers encouraging the county to create safer spaces for bicyclists, pedestrians, runners, and trail users.

A Trail Steeped in History

From the beginning, non-profit Hilo Bayfront Trails was intended to be a multi-use path system through downtown Hilo. Once a marshland, the trail is steeped in history. According to oral historical accounts, Polynesians first settled Hilo Harbor around 1100 AD. A royal center for many of the early chiefs, Hilo’s bayfront is likely to have been the site of their summer homes.

And legend has it that a prominent rock in the upstream Wailuku River (at the northern end of Keawe St.) is the site of the demigod Maui’s canoe crash. Rushing to save his mother, Hina, from a water monster that was threatening to flood her cave beneath Rainbow Falls, the devoted Maui paddled his canoe with such haste across the ocean that he crash-landed at this spot, turning the canoe to stone.

Commitment to family is a characteristic of Hilo Bay that endured the passing of time.

“Everybody wants a place to walk with their family,” says Sally Ancheta, the Eastside Hawai’i Island Community Coordinator for Hawai’i Public Health Institute and a HBFT board member.

“But before 2010, there were only houses and roads here – There was no bike or pedestrian infrastructure,” adds Matthias Kusch, Vice President of Hilo Bayfront Trails. “We saw this need and brought a vision to life.”

Seeing this need, a committee convened in 2010 to bring the vision of a system of trails to life. By 2011, Hilo Bayfront Trails was a legal entity, and a grant for construction was written in 2012.

In 2015, a section from Mo’oheau Bandstand to the canoe hale near the Iron Works building, as well as a loop around Bayfront’s mauka soccer fields was completed. With the support of a community open to the possibilities, the sections from Mo’oheau Park to Pauahi Street, from Pauahi Street to the Bayfront canoe hale, and from Pauahi Street to the Bayfront soccer fields were completed by late 2016. Such support is proof of how important Hilo Bayfront Trails is to our existing community.

In 2017, the Department of Health donated funds to cover the cost for a wayfinding signage plan, as well as wayfinding and destination signage. Such support is proof of how important Hilo Bayfront Trails is to our existing community.

HBFT has also done a variety of community-based fundraising, promoting the non-profit status to engage donors. During that time, the LWCF grants were discovered, which resulted in the existing trail. The assistance of local rotary clubs and benefactors of the community was also sought after.

Ed Olson and the Olson Trust have been our greatest benefactor and supporters by far, as Olson donated $35,000 to match our small-time contributions (website traffic donations, rotary clubs, and trail engraving sales). Work to sell the 12’ x 12’ squares of the trail with an engraving for $500 each has raised about $12,000, which won’t cover the cost of the trail, but can help if more engraving donations are received.

Community enthusiasm about the trails is apparent, however, the prohibitively high cost of building them out is a huge barrier to the private citizen donation route. Upon examining other communities with thriving trail systems, it should be noted that local municipalities build public infrastructures like bike and multi-use trails. All indications point to the best approach to getting trails built on Hawai’i Island is to apply for large private, state, and federal grants, in combination with lobbying elected officials.

Incredible work has already been done to create HBFT, a path designed to last for many generations. But in order for the trails to benefit the community for generations to come, it’s time for us to do more.

Awareness, Cultural Connectivity, and Improved Health

Establishing interesting loops is among the upcoming plans for the trail’s near future, including a shared-use circuit around Waiakea Pond and in the Waiolama Canal Area.

“The next section would go right past the pond, which is a real hidden gem in Hilo!” says Matthias, describing its calm waters dotted with lily-pads. “I have a friend who grew up in Hilo and he never knew about the pond. This section of Hilo Bayfront Trail would make it accessible to more people who have lived here their whole life.”

“Access, awareness, and connectivity. That’s what the trail is about,” Matthias adds. “And with a pedestrian loop in Downtown Hilo passing by so many historical buildings and artifacts, it can connect users to Hilo’s rich history.”

The Hilo Bayfront Trails project also has an interpretive component with a mission to share the bayfront’s culturally significant sites. Additionally, the shared-use path in Mo’oheau Park will offer users an alternate means to reach upcoming cultural and public events at the Mo’oheau Bandstand, the Palace Theater, and other popular Downtown Hilo venues.

Envision easily accessing our most renowned cultural event, the Merrie Monarch and its Royal Parade as it winds through Downtown Hilo on the first morning of the global festival. Or safely walking to the Hilo Orchid Society’s annual show and sale at the Edith Kanaka’ole Multi-Purpose Tennis Stadium and beholding gorgeous displays of thousands of exotic orchids.

In addition to cultural connection, the expansion of Hilo Bayfront Trails will make it possible to implement transportation-related educational programs for drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians alike – Programs that could impart a share-the-road perspective for increased use of alternative transportation in the bayfront.

Developing HBFT further would also offer opportunities for bicycle education programs for all ages, boosting awareness among drivers of cyclists’ needs and rights, as well as awareness about the fitness and health benefits of bicycling. And you don’t even need to own a bike to enjoy riding Hilo Bayfront Trails. The HIBike bikeshare system is located at HBFT’s Mo’oheau County Park trailhead, with one-time rides available at the bikeshare kiosk and monthly subscriptions available online.

“One of the reasons that this trail was built is to be part of the process of improving our community’s health,” explains Sally.

Showcasing the natural beauty of Hilo, the trail is ideal for getting the heart pumping with a jog or a bike ride. It doesn’t hurt that the view while working out on Hilo Bayfront Trails is better than any found in a gym.

And studies show that time spent outside – simply walking among trees while taking in views of the ocean – lowers blood pressure and decreases the stress-related hormones adrenaline and cortisol.

Since existing pedestrian walkways at Waiakea Peninsula already offer ease of access to treasured vistas of the bayfront, integrating them into Hilo Bayfront Trails would also lend itself to the preservation of the beauty that is already there naturally.

Small Steps Toward Big Impact

According to projections based on the latest U.S. Census, the current population of Hilo, Hawai’i is 45,056. That’s nearly one-third of Hawai’i Island residents living in and around a city that supports a diversified Hawaiian economy of agriculture, aquaculture, education, government, ranching, tourism, and trade.

By completing the build-out of Hilo Bayfront Trails, the project would connect the visitors that will once again arrive by plane or cruise ship to local businesses by way of a shaded walkway by the water. It could connect medical professionals from the hospital, as well as students from the high school, university, and community college to the stress-relieving benefits of the outdoors. And ultimately, the fully protected bikeway/walkway would connect the people and places of Hilo.

“The trail invites people to come together,” Sally points out. “I see Hilo Bayfront Trails connecting all of us to our town and even other towns eventually!” Recently, HBFT and Hawai’i County submitted a federal grant application to develop the next leg and do just that.

We’re looking forward to the day when the shared-use pathway throughout the bayfront area and Hilo Harbor features nearly six miles of trails to connect more than 700 acres of land with dedicated bicycle lanes, pedestrian sidewalks, and multimodal paths.

Developing new sections of the Hilo Bayfront Trail will also complement Hawaii’s Clean Energy Initiative, which aims for 100 percent renewable power by 2045.

By working toward these developments, we can leave the gas-guzzling vehicles at home at last and ride the bike to the Hilo Farmers Market to pick up some fresh produce, handcrafted gifts, and tropical flowers from local farmers and crafters. Supporting local agriculture and reducing our carbon footprint should go hand in hand, and with new sections of the trail, they can!

“It will be so impactful when all five phases of the trail are realized!” emphasizes Matthias. “But we have to start with what we have and take the small steps today.”

Small but essential steps, like continuing fundraising initiatives and encouraging donations which enable HBFT to fund the next phases and related improvements.

While funding can be a big challenge, it doesn’t have to be insurmountable. Hawai’i County, which is responsible for attaining funds for trail implementation, has been looking at several potential sources for a while now. These include capital improvement project funding and grants.

“Currently, Hawai’i Residents have about 7 miles of fully protected bikeways and walkways in completed sections of Queens’ Lei in Kona-Kailua, Waimea Trails and Greenways, and Hilo Bayfront Trails,” says Jessica Thomson, Executive Director of PATH. “Once all sections of Hilo Bayfront Trails are completed, Hawai’i residents will have almost double that!” Jessica continues. “We’re excited to see Hawai’i County take the next step towards developing these trails!”

Accessibility and Connectivity for Future Generations

Built to implement historic preservation, cultural celebration, and a sense of pride in the bayfront area, Hilo Bayfront Trails’ role in accomplishing all this became more integral than ever in 2020.

With the pandemic came shutdowns and cancelations, but we were also able to slow down enough to use the trail and appreciate the beauty of Hilo’s bayfront. With gyms and schools closed, it was one of the few places still accessible and safe to go for exercise and recreation.

Because of Hilo Bayfront Trails, we were able to get out of the house, make memories with our ohana, and connect with neighbors in a way some of us never had before. Having an outdoor space that is free and nearby became essential in the face of uncertainty.

“2020 reminded us what’s really important, like family dinners, slowing down, and getting outside. I started walking after work and running,” says Sally. “And Hilo Bayfront Trails became a place where we could all relax and feel safe outdoors.”

Even as the world opens back up and some degree of normalcy is being restored, the deeper connections and new traditions that we’ve established won’t soon be abandoned. With the help of the community and Hawai’i County, Hilo Bayfront Trails can continue to provide much-needed connectivity to downtown, as well as enable accessibility around local parks and the bayfront area for generations to come.

PATH

PATH is working to elevate the efforts of walking/biking/running advocates and Hawai’i County, with an emphasis on creating more protected places for people to use mobility devices, walk, or bike on Hawai’i Island. By supporting continued development of Hilo Bayfront Trails and other biking paths and walkways through the Building Better Ways for Hawaii (#BW4H) series, we hope to encourage Hawai’i County to take action, expanding existing passageways and creating safer spaces for walkers, runners, bicyclists, and trail users.

Over the summer, we’ll shine the spotlights on the progress of Waimea Trails and Greenways, and Queens’ Lei, so be sure to check back soon!