Empowering Voices: Listening Sessions on Women’s Mobility Challenges in Waipahu and ‘Ewa

The Mobility, Access, and Transportation Insecurity (MATI) Project is an important initiative led by Hawai‘i Appleseed in collaboration with the Hawai‘i Public Health Institute and the University of Hawai‘i Department of Urban and Regional Planning. The project aims to improve transportation security for women and their families living in urban O‘ahu’s low-income and affordable housing complexes. Special attention is focused on the neighborhoods of ʻEwa and Waipahu. Through community listening sessions, women from the priority population shared their experiences, challenges, and ideas for solutions to improve mobility in their daily lives.

To enhance the community needs assessment, a comprehensive travel survey was conducted before the listening sessions, aiming to gather in-depth data regarding the travel patterns and needs of the targeted population. The survey captured the experiences of individuals who own a motor vehicle and those who do not (or share a vehicle with family members). By analyzing this data, the team gained a deeper understanding of how transportation insecurity negatively impacts livelihoods, setting the foundation for more targeted discussions during the listening sessions.

During the sessions, participants expressed various concerns about transportation barriers. These included limited bus routes, long commute times, and safety concerns such as poorly lit paths and high-traffic areas while walking. Many women spoke about how these challenges affect their ability to access jobs, healthcare, and essential services for their families.

Despite these difficulties, there was strong enthusiasm and engagement as participants discussed potential improvements. Suggestions ranged from enhanced public transit options and safer pedestrian pathways to community-led ride-sharing programs. Their insights will help shape a community-driven demonstration project that addresses their transportation needs.

By centering the voices of those most affected, this project will ensure that solutions are effective, sustainable, and reflective of the community’s lived experiences. The following steps will involve refining the ideas gathered and working collaboratively to implement fundamental, impactful changes in the ʻEwa and Waipahu areas.

Stay tuned for updates on how this initiative continues to evolve, and mahalo to all the women who shared their stories and solutions to create a more accessible and connected O‘ahu. For more information about O‘ahu HEAL initiatives, please contact the O‘ahu HEAL Coalition Coordinator Leigh Ann Lopez at leighann@hiphi.org.