KAPA‘A — More than two dozen people showed up as the pre-ride meeting got underway, the morning sun already beginning to generate beads of perspiration on the brows of bicyclists, Friday. “We had 26 noses when we pulled into the
KAPA‘A — More than two dozen people showed up as the pre-ride meeting got underway, the morning sun already beginning to generate beads of perspiration on the brows of bicyclists, Friday.
“We had 26 noses when we pulled into the Wailua Brick Oven Pizza,” said Thomas Noyes, one of the event coordinators of the Bike to Work program. “When we left for Lihu‘e, there were just a little more than a dozen.”
Led by veteran bicyclist Laurel Brier, the group appeared to head off on its own, despite the common destination of Lihu‘e.
“About half of the group took off on the emergency by pass road fronting the Aloha Kaua‘i Beach Resort,” said Noyes. “The others were on the main highway with more people spinning off at Kapule Highway.”
Among those making the initial leg was Kaua‘i Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr., who warmed up for the event by doing the Kealia leg of the bicycle and pedestrian path before heading to Lihu‘e.
Carvalho’s original plan was to bicycle with the group to the Wailua Brick Oven Pizza before leaving his bicycle and taking his car into work.
“Biking promotes healthier lifestyles and is good for the environment,” Carvalho said. “Two things that are important for all of us on Kaua‘i.”
“With the opening of Phase 2 of our coastal multi-use path, Ke Ala Hele Makalae, right around the corner (June 27), this is a great reminder to get out of our cars and onto our feet and bicycles! Mahalo to the many Kaua‘i Path and Hawai‘i Pedal Power volunteers who planned Kaua‘i’s participation in this statewide event.”
Another cyclist taking advantage of the group ride was County Council member Lani Kawahara, who, when not in her council office, is the librarian at the Kapa‘a Library.
“This is great,” Kawahara said, while trying to adjust her safety helmet for the right fit. “I’ll ride with them to Wailua and turn around and come back to the library.”
Kawahara said the Friday ride was a fun, healthy, and environmentally-friendly way to get to work.
“A lot of friends, no hills, and a beautiful day made it the perfect time to demonstrate the viability of alternative modes of transportation on Kaua‘i,” Kawahara said. “It took a little extra effort and planning, but I managed to get to work in a carbon-neutral way. I’m now considering ways I could combine riding a bike and then catching The Kaua‘i Bus to get around Kaua‘i. Thank you, Kaua‘i drivers for watching out for bike riders.”
During the short ride, Carvalho said he discovered several things that needed addressing, but is certain that with the help of Kaua‘i Path volunteers, these issues can be worked out and remedied or corrected.
Mike Laureta was one of six people from the Planning Department that rode their bikes to work, opting to take the bypass road to town.
“It was a beautiful morning to be on that scenic route,” Laureta said after reaching the Mo‘ikeha Building. “It’s a perfect place to bike, and I would suggest that the county open it up at least twice a month just for bicyclists to enjoy.”
Kaua‘i Path’s vision is residents working together to preserve, protect, and extend access island-wide through the design, implementation, and stewardship of non-motorized multi-use paths.
For more information, visit www.kauaipath.org
•Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@kauaipubco.com
