As part of a fundamental movement occurring worldwide over the last thirty years to create safer, more convenient, accessible, and healthier ways for people to get around, PATH recently announced their new name.
The community-based, grassroots 501(c)(3) non-profit active transportation organization serving Hawaii County will still be known as PATH, but what used to be People’s Advocacy for Trails Hawaii will now proudly be, People for Active Transportation Hawaii.
In an emailed newsletter sent on July 3rd stated, “We will still be known as PATH. As an organization, we felt it was important that our name more clearly reflect our mission and work. The name change is part of a fundamental transition that has occurred at PATH, Hawaii Island, and across the world in the last thirty years.
“All the data shows that the more we can design environments for people to be and feel safe walking, using a mobility device, and/or biking (essentially using the right-of-way for both exercise and transportation), the healthier our bodies, land, and communities. As such, there has been a real movement both here and abroad to create safe, convenient and accessible ways for people to get around by assistive mobility device, walking, or biking.”
It will be the non-profit’s third name change in its 35-year history. The community-based advocacy group first started out as Kona Community Safety Lane in 1986 as a result of a tragic accident involving a cyclist and motorist which allowed the community to come together to address the issue of bike/pedestrian safety.
The organization then changed its name to People’s Advocacy for Trails Hawaii (PATH) in 1995 after realizing their projects, programs, membership, and mission expanded to interests island-wide which was to safely connect people and places on Hawaii Island with pathways and bikeways.
However, with an uptick in demand for “active transport” — the ability to get around by using the power of one’s own body, PATH’s new name reflects their goal to continue to promote safe, convenient and healthier ways for people to get around Hawaii Island while reducing air pollution and congested roadways.
In an email to PATH executive director, Jessica Thompson, a question asked about alternate suggestions of transport for areas on the Big Island where active transport may not be feasible. She said knowing the current transportation system was designed almost exclusively for the single occupancy vehicles, she dreams of a day when active transportation groups are unnecessary because it will mean we have achieved our public health, climate and equity goals.
“It will mean every person living or visiting Hawaii Island will have access to safe, frequent, convenient, affordable, and accessible multi-modal transportation options such as walking, biking, ferries, buses, shuttles, car sharing, and other modes of transportation,” Thompson said. “Currently, Hawaii County resident and visitor active transportation options are quite limited. However, I believe we are at an inflection point. We have both a kuleana and legislative mandates to achieve comprehensive public health, climate, and equity goals.”
Thompson added the Big Island is poised to make some important investments in active transportation. In 2020 the County adopted the Hawaii County Vision Zero Plan which aims to eliminate all traffic fatalities and severe injuries while increasing safe, healthy, equitable mobility for all. The current Mass Transit plan includes a hub and spoke model that will provide more, and better Hele On service between communities.
“I commute from Papaikou to Kona for meetings one day a week,” she said. “Taking Hele On is not possible, unless I want to devote six hours on the road. However, once the Mass Transit system is upgraded, I will be able to take a direct shuttle to Kona. I will be able to use that time to work, read, or rest. Then, I will be able to jump on a Bikeshare bike at the transit stop and ride to all my meetings before jumping back on the Hele On bus to head back to Hilo.
“The short answer to your question is that, we don’t have enough options to get around by walking, biking, and mass transit,” she said. “However, if we continue to pursue active transportation as a public health, climate and equity solution, we will build a transportation system that promotes safe, clean, sustainable, and equitable options for future generations. This work will not be done in our lifetimes, but we can move the ball down the field as far as we can.”
For more information about PATH and their current projects visit their website at pathhawaii.org.