Designing Safer, Smarter Mobility: Community Voices from ʻEwa and Waipahu

This month, residents from ʻEwa and Waipahu came together for community design charrettes hosted by the Mobility, Access, and Transportation Insecurity (MATI) Project. Led by Hawai‘i Appleseed in collaboration with the Hawai‘i Public Health Institute and the University of Hawai‘i’s Department of Urban and Regional Planning, the charrettes invited local residents, especially women and families living in affordable housing, to co-create transportation solutions that reflect their lived experiences.

Building upon earlier community listening sessions and survey data, the charrettes focused on three major areas of concern: pedestrian safety, access to reliable transit, and neighborhood connectivity. Across both sites, participants voiced a clear need for safer routes to school, especially for children. This led to a proposal for more visible and playful keiki crossings using bright red honu (turtle) symbols at crosswalks, glow-in-the-dark path markers, curb extensions, and signage to alert drivers and protect young pedestrians. 

Residents responded enthusiastically to the idea of colorful, visible crosswalks using the honu symbols and glow-in-the-dark markings to guide children along safe routes to school. They identified specific intersections and streets in ʻEwa and Waipahu where pedestrian safety is a concern, particularly near schools and high-traffic roads. Participants also emphasized the need for radar speed signs, improved lighting, and curb extensions to better protect young walkers and increase driver awareness.

Another key focus was improving the comfort and safety of bus shelters. Many stops currently lack protection from sun and rain, so participants proposed more thoughtfully designed shelters with seating, shade, and surrounding greenery. In both ʻEwa and Waipahu, residents stressed the importance of placing shelters in high-use areas based on local insight. They described how uncomfortable and unsafe it can be to wait for transit, and suggested improvements such as covered shelters, more frequent service, and safer, more welcoming environments for all riders. Community knowledge played a key role in identifying which stops would benefit most from upgraded infrastructure.

The third proposal was the creation of a community shuttle—an on-demand, flexible transit option designed to help residents connect to jobs, school, grocery stores, and transit hubs. The idea supports those facing the greatest transportation barriers, including low-income families, kūpuna, and individuals with disabilities. Many residents shared how long distances between their homes and the nearest bus stops, especially in areas lacking sidewalks or safe walking routes, pose a major obstacle. The shuttle concept emerged as a promising solution to close the “last-mile” gap and improve access to jobs, schools, healthcare, and other essential services. 

Despite these challenges, the energy and engagement at both charrettes highlighted the power of community-led design. By centering local knowledge, the MATI Project is helping shape practical, grounded solutions to transportation insecurity in urban Oʻahu. Feedback from these events will directly inform future demonstration projects in ʻEwa and Waipahu, turning ideas into action.

Mahalo to all the residents who shared their stories, ideas, and vision. Your voices are driving real change. 

For more information about O‘ahu HEAL initiatives, please contact the O‘ahu HEAL Coalition Coordinator Leigh Ann Lopez at leighann@hiphi.org