Saturday, October 26, 2019 - 9:00am to 10:00am
The Maui Healthy Communities Initiative welcomes the public to share their input at the Onehe‘e Avenue Vision Zero Launch from 9:00 – 10:00am on October 26, 2019 at the intersection of Uhu Street and Onehe‘e Avenue. Vision Zero is a goal to end traffic fatalities with education, enforcement and engineering. Students and Kahului Community Center Park users will engage in a hands-on demonstration of “Complete Streets” elements that encourage walking and bicycling, while at the same time reducing the risk of traffic fatalities and injuries.
Why do we need to focus on creating safer roadways? Maui has seen 16 traffic fatalities so far in 2019, compared to 12 at this time last year. Alcohol was involved in 66% of roadway fatalities. Advocates emphasize the importance of regulating liquor sales, having stricter penalties, enforcement of traffic violations, and educating folks on making good decisions to drive sober.
While education and enforcement are critical, improving sidewalks and roadways can make our communities healthier and safer. A recent study by Smart Growth America called “Dangerous by Design” found that Maui is the most dangerous county for pedestrians in the State of Hawaii, which ranks 3rd worst in the nation for pedestrian fatalities.
“Equity means everyone has the right to move around safely, regardless of their age, income or abilities,” said Mayor Michael Victorino. Following a County Council resolution passed in June 2019 through the Multimodal Transportation Committee, Mayor Victorino is calling for an Advisory Group to develop a Vision Zero Action Plan with recommended policies and projects to improve safety.
The Onehe’e Avenue project will feature changes that have been proven effective at creating safer roadways, including student-painted “bulb outs” to protect pedestrians at Uhu Street, a buffered bike lane and back-in angle parking stalls that improve visibility when pulling out. These temporary changes help the County assess long-term designs for Onehe‘e Avenue that also support walkability, affordable housing and access to jobs.
The Department of Public Works is planning to reconstruct Onehe‘e Avenue in 2021 with federal transportation funds through Maui MPO. Healthy Communities Initiative members Maui Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), Healthy Eating Active Living (HEAL) Coalition, Blue Zones Project and Maui Bicycling League are helping the County gather input to inform new community designs.
“This event is a great way to test potential designs for Onehe’e Avenue. So far we’ve heard that residents want safe crossings, ample parking, space to walk and bike, shade trees and convenient bus service. The changes are an effort to follow through on what Maui’s residents want. We look forward to getting more feedback from the community as this project moves forward”, said Maui MPO Executive Director Lauren Armstrong.