LIHU‘E — Kaua‘i Mayor Bryan J. Baptiste was pleasantly surprised when he asked the question, “How many of you have used the bus before?” About three fourths of the 60 students raised their hands enthusiastically, a clear demonstration that the
LIHU‘E — Kaua‘i Mayor Bryan J. Baptiste was pleasantly surprised when he asked the question, “How many of you have used the bus before?”
About three fourths of the 60 students raised their hands enthusiastically, a clear demonstration that the youth of Kaua‘i are familiar with the workings of The Kaua‘i Bus and the county’s Offices of Community Assistance Transportation Agency.
Actually, it was something of a trick question, because the youth had just gotten off The Kaua‘i Bus, with around 30 from the Eastside and 30 from the Westside, given an opportunity to learn more about how officials in the county’s Transportation Agency can help them access some of the youth programs that are available.
Baptiste said lack of transportation shouldn’t be a reason why students don’t avail themselves of any of the youth programs available, and the first-ever Youth Bus Day event was designed to familiarize and orient the students in The Kaua‘i Bus operations.
Working with Clyde Vito of the county’s Agency on Recreation, Kaleo Carvalho of the Transportation Agency coordinated the timing of the buses so the Eastside and Westside buses would arrive at the Transportation Agency office, where the student riders were given a quick tour of the office near the new courthouse, new police station, Kauai Veterans Center and north Vidinha soccer fields, as well as touring the support facilities whose employees help keep the buses rolling on Kaua‘i’s roads.
From there, it was a short trip to the bus stop at the Lihu‘e Civic Center on Hardy Street, where the students again left the buses and, following a short stop to see where they could purchase monthly bus passes, they ended up at the rotunda of the Lihu‘e Civic Center Mo‘ikeha Building, where they were greeted by the mayor.
Baptiste explained that the Youth Bus Day is only one of several projects being undertaken by college summer interns in the various county departments to which they’ve been assigned.
Working under Vito, intern Teresa Tumbaga headed up the Youth Bus Day project, the first time the county has undertaken such a venture.
Baptiste said Vito’s crew worked with William Trugillo of the Boys & Girls Club, as well as with officials in the county’s Transportation Agency.
He noted that students were privileged to be able to ride newer buses county leaders recently added to The Kaua‘i Bus fleet.
Additionally, students were introduced to the capabilities of The Kaua‘i Bus, one student from the Kapa‘a route having his bicycle being taken for a ride along with the students, to demonstrate one feature of the bus operation — bike racks on the front of buses.
Following the orientation meeting, students were treated to lunch, as well as drawings for prizes, before being returned to the respective Boys & Girls Clubs clubhouses.
- Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, may be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@pulitzer.net.
