County Mayor Announces Goal to Eliminate Traffic Fatalities on Kaua’i by 2040 : Kauai Now

A new initiative from Kaua’i County aims to eliminate traffic fatalities on the Garden Island by 2040.

Kaua’i County Mayor Derek SK Kawakami announced the Vision Zero initiative at the annual Keiki Bike and Skateboard Safety Day on Saturday, where Wilcox Medical Center handed out multi-use helmets and offered tips for safe biking and skateboarding.

More than 30 children were also able to take home brand new bikes after the free event, which were donated by Wilcox employees and the community.

“Whether they are pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists or drivers of passenger vehicles, we just want to educate people and children to be aware, to pay attention, to drive with aloha and to take care of each other,” Kawakami said.

A Vision Zero Advisory Group will be formed to advise the Mayor’s Office and County Council on safe transportation laws and policies. Kaua‘i County will also continue to invest in programs that make roads safer for pedestrians, cyclists and more.

Adopting the Vision Zero initiative also allows Kaua’i County to seek additional federal funding for local infrastructure improvements.

Other highlights of the event included a bike skills improvement class hosted by Kauaʻi Path, which taught children how to safely navigate turns and use proper hand signals. Play Streets Kauaʻi provided skateboarding lessons and tips with the help of Kauaʻi Skate ʻOhana. Children were able to get their bikes tuned at the AlohaCare safety inspection station and learn more about concussion prevention at educational booths.

“Bike and Skateboard Safety Day is one of our favorite events because it’s a day when the community comes together for our kids,” said Jen Chahanovich, president and CEO of Wilcox Medical Center and CEO of Kaua‘i Medical Clinic.