LIHU‘E — The main topic of discussion at a recent meeting of the Get Fit Kaua‘i Built Environment Task Force was the implementation of a Complete Streets policy for Kaua‘i that was established through a resolution signed by the County
LIHU‘E — The main topic of discussion at a recent meeting of the Get Fit Kaua‘i Built Environment Task Force was the implementation of a Complete Streets policy for Kaua‘i that was established through a resolution signed by the County Council last month.
Kaua‘i is the first county in Hawai‘i to adopt a Complete Streets policy, which ensures that all roadway projects on the island utilize Complete Streets design principles with equal consideration given to all users: motorists, pedestrians of all ages and abilities, bicyclists and transit riders.
“Everyone’s really excited about this. For the past year and a half, the task force has worked closely with Mayor Carvalho, the County Council and others in the community on the establishment of the Complete Streets policy. It is truly gratifying to see it become a reality,” said Marie Williams, GFKBE task force chair and long-range planner with the county Planning Department.
“I commend the members of the Get Fit Kaua‘i Built Environment Task Force for leading the charge in advocating for the Complete Streets policy,” said Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr.
“Having this policy in place provides a clear direction for our planners and engineers in the development of transportation projects that will ensure safe travel for everyone.”
The Get Fit Kaua‘i Built Environment Task Force is comprised of Bev Brody, Get Fit Kaua‘i; Ian Costa, Imai Aiu, Ka‘aina Hull, Lea Kaiaokamalie and Williams, county Planning Department; Ted Blake, Hui Malama o Koloa; Tim Bynum, County Council; Dave Caylor, county Department of Parks and Recreation; and Donald Fujimoto, Ken Teshima, Wally Kudo, Doug Haigh and Patrick Kaihara, county Department of Public Works.
Other members of the GFKBE Task Force include: Ray McCormick, state Department of Transportation Highways Division Kaua‘i district engineer; Thomas Noyes, Kaua‘i Path; Barbara Pendragon, county Housing Agency; Christina Pilkington, county Americans with Disabilities Act coordinator; Janine Rapozo, county Transportation Agency; Kealoha Takahashi, county Agency on Elderly Affairs; and Lisa Chun, Neil Clendeninn, Esti Grinpas, Ken Taylor, Ben Welborn, JoAnn Yukimura and Diane Zachary, community members.
The mission of the task force is to improve the quality of life for Kaua‘i residents and visitors by promoting opportunities for physical activity and access to healthy foods.
Organizations that joined in the Complete Streets effort by providing testimony in support of the policy include: the American Association of Retired Persons; Grove Farm Company; Kaua‘i Economic Development Board; Kaua‘i Path; Kaua‘i Police Department; Malama Kaua‘i; and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Communities Putting Prevention to Work.
Next step
“We’re now looking at how to facilitate the implementation of the Complete Streets policy. It’s a huge undertaking, but the task force is very committed to this project,” said Williams, adding that the task force is responsible for submitting a progress report to the mayor and County Council in 2012 on the adoption of the Complete Streets principles into the Kaua‘i County Code.
With guidance from nationally known Complete Streets experts Mark Fenton and Michael Moule, who have assisted communities throughout the U.S. with creating transportation systems that are more livable and activity-friendly, the Get Fit Kaua‘i Built Environment Task Force is forging ahead with developing its implementation plan.
Among the steps the task force plans to take are the following:
— Evaluate implementation plans of other Complete Streets communities;
— Get input from all stakeholders, including planners, engineers, public and government agencies;
— Review Kaua‘i’s current construction and roadway standards and zoning and subdivision ordinances;
— Ensure that Complete Streets design principles are incorporated into the county’s General Plan and community development plans, i.e. Koloa-Po‘ipu, Lihu‘e, etc.;
— Work with the state DOT on integrating Complete Streets concepts into DOT’s Long Range Transportation Plan.
Expressing excitement about Kaua‘i becoming a Complete Streets community, Brody said, “Complete Streets is about making sure our keiki can safely walk to school, seniors have time to cross the street safely, and parents feel comfortable bicycling to a nearby park or grocery store.”
She added that a comprehensive study on walkability found that residents who live in walkable neighborhoods engaged in 35 to 45 minutes more minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week, and were substantially less likely to be overweight or obese than those who live in low-walkable neighborhoods.
“Complete Streets provides opportunities for increased physical activity by incorporating features that promote regular walking, cycling and transit use on just about every street,” said Brody, noting that added benefits include the reduction of carbon dioxide and less time spent in traffic.
