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Kauaʻi Adopts Vision Zero Initiative!
Author: Bev Brody, Get Fit Kaua‘i
Photo: Mayor Derek Kawakami high-fives a keiki on Bike & Skateboard Safety Day July 20, 2024. Photo credit: Wilcox Medical Center
Kaua‘i County has introduced a Vision Zero initiative, aiming to eliminate traffic fatalities on the island by 2040. The announcement was made by Kaua‘i County Mayor Derek Kawakami during the annual Keiki Bike & Skateboard Safety Day held on Saturday, July 20, 2024. At the event, Wilcox Medical Center provided multi-use helmets and shared valuable safety tips for biking and skateboarding.
Thanks to generous donations from Wilcox employees and local community members, over 30 children received brand-new bicycles. Mayor Kawakami emphasized the initiative’s focus on education, stating, “Our goal is to educate everyone—whether they are pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, or drivers—so they stay aware, pay attention, and drive with aloha.”
As part of the Vision Zero initiative, an advisory group will be created to assist the Mayor’s Office and County Council in crafting effective transportation laws and policies. The initiative also opens doors for Kaua‘i County to seek additional federal funding for infrastructure improvements.
Tommy Noyes, Executive Director of Kauai Path Inc. and Mayor Kawakami are all smiles as they display the new Vision Zero Proclamation.
The event featured various activities, including a bike skills course by Kaua‘i Path, where children learned to navigate turns and correctly use hand signals. Play Streets Kaua‘i provided skateboard lessons with support from Kaua‘i Skate ʻOhana. Children also got their bikes tuned up at AlohaCare’s safety inspection station and learned about concussion prevention at educational booths.
“Bike & Skateboard Safety Day is one of our favorite events because it brings the community together for our children,” said Jen Chahanovich, president and CEO of Wilcox Medical Center and CEO of Kaua‘i Medical Clinic.
Dr. Van Martin, Wilcox Trauma Program medical director, fitting a helmet on a child during Bike & Skateboard Safety Day on July 20, 2024. Photo credit: Wilcox Medical Center
Vision Zero [proclamation text, July 20, 2024]
WHEREAS, the life and health of Kaua‘i County’s residents are our utmost priority; and
WHEREAS, Vision Zero is a strategy to eliminate traffic deaths while promoting safe, healthy mobility for all; and
WHEREAS, vehicle speed is a major factor in crash outcomes, and streets can be designed safely to account for human error; and
WHEREAS, the County of Kaua‘i continues to invest in Complete Streets, Safe Routes to School, and greenway paths to encourage walking, biking, and bus ridership; and
WHEREAS, education, enforcement, and engineering are key strategies to achieve Vision Zero; and
WHEREAS, a Vison Zero Advisory Group will be formed to advise the Mayor’s Office and County Council on ordinances and policies necessary to support the implementation of Vision Zero. The advisory group shall be comprised of agencies and organizations with expertise in transportation, enforcement, education, public health, emergency response, transit, biking, walking, and vehicles.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, DEREK S.K. KAWAKAMI, MAYOR, COUNTY OF KAUA‘I, have the distinct honor of proclaiming the County of Kaua‘i adopts the goal of Vision Zero: Eliminate Traffic Deaths on Kaua‘i by 2040, and encourage all citizens to do their part in practicing safe driving habits so that we can, as a community, help achieve this goal.
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