HANALEI — The Hanalei Safety Squad Helmet giveaway, in collaboration with the Hanalei Initiative, convened at Waioli Park, where a total of 55 helmets were distributed to children who signed the ‘I Love My Brain’ pledge.
The pledge signifies their commitment to wearing helmets while cycling and promoting helmet use among their peers, thereby encouraging a culture of safety in cycling practices.
“In 2021, the basketball court at Waioli Park was resurfaced, and after noticing all the keiki using it for wheeled adventures weren’t wearing helmets, I asked the Hanalei Initiative to sponsor a helmet and pad giveaway,” said event organizer Martha Malone.
The children also signed a gratitude poster in dedication to the North Shore sponsors and its residents for encouraging safety and caring for their brain by donating the prizes. An additional 10 children brought their helmets, had them painted by volunteer artist Nick Arnold, and also signed the contract.
“I wandered Hanalei town with a couple of keiki to see if any shops wanted to donate prizes and everyone I asked said ‘YES!’” explained Malone.
“Everyone had a personal story of someone they knew who either died or was never the same after a head injury from not having a helmet on while they were rolling!
“We had so many prizes that every keiki got something if they signed the contract saying “I love my brain and will wear a helmet and encourage friends to do so.”
Malone hopes the event creates some positive peer pressure and encourages everyone of all ages to wear a helmet and ride safely.
“If adults don’t want to wear a helmet, well that’s their choice as they understand the consequences,” said Malone, “If parents won’t enforce their child wearing a helmet, I hope they are prepared to sit in the hospital Intensive Care Unit praying their precious offspring will survive and thrive again.”
Anyone who missed the Safety Squad Helmet giveaway and wants to sign the pledge can visit The Hanalei Initiative on the North Shore to receive a helmet. It is important to keep in mind that the law in Hawaii requires children under the age of 15 to wear a helmet while riding a bicycle.
A couple of helmet facts to remember include:
• Children learn by example, so adults should also wear bike helmets every time they ride bicycles.
• Using a bike helmet can reduce the risk of head injury by 85 percent.
• If all bicyclist wore helmets, one head injury would be prevented every four minutes, and one life would be saved every day.
