In May 2022, the County of Hawai'i (COH) Planning Department worked with community organizations, artists, and volunteers to install a "Quick Build" Project near Keaukaha Elementary School, surrounding the "piko." The main goal of this project was to improve the health, safety, and happiness of Keaukaha residents and students by reconfiguring existing areas outside the travelway with Complete Streets type treatments that include safe places to walk and bike. Complete Streets support previous efforts by the school to implement Safe Routes to School in addition to the County's Vision Zero goal to eliminate traffic fatalities. The project was funded by the State Department of Health's SNAP-Ed program.

 PROJECT IMPROVEMENTS

Improvements were made to four roadways surrounding the Keaukaha Elementary School piko: Desha Avenue, Baker Avenue, Todd Avenue, and Pua Avenue. Project improvements included a continous walking and biking pathway around the neighborhood's piko and street art at the roadway intersection corners. Students from Keaukaha Elementary School assisted in developing and installing the street art designs. Street art implementation was led by local artist Kawehi Mahi-Roberts.

Community Engagement and Project Survey Results

The project team worked with the Keaukaha community and other stakeholders to identify safety concerns and gather feedback on the project's pathway improvements and street art. As part of the community engagement process, the team surveyed 90 residents who live, work, and recreate in Keaukaha. Over 80% of survey respondents supported a continous walking and biking pathway around the neighborhood piko. Community input is discussed further below. 

What are "Quick Build" Projects? 

Quick Build projects serve as a response to the lengthy, and often expensive, process of planning, designing, and building transportation infrastructure. Simple traffic calming measures can often take over five years from approval to construction. Quick Build projects employ semi-permanent transportation materials that can be installed rapidly and at less cost. Lower-cost materials, such as paint, signage, and delineators, are used to help the community reimagine how the roadways can look and function. Similar Quick Build projects have been implemented in various communities across Hawai'i, including Kalihi (O'ahu), 'Ewa (O'ahu), and Kahului (Maui).

Click here to learn more about the project and the community survey results!

Watch this short video to learn about the most recent quick build project near Lihikai Elementary School in Kahului, Maui.

APA Awards

Contact Us

Get in touch with us with questions or feedback you may have about the project by contacting:

Natasha Soriano

Count of Hawai'i Planning Department

natasha.soriano@hawaiicounty.gov

(808) 961-8712