According to a traditional Hawaiian lesson, The Law of The Splintered Paddle, everyone has the right to stay safe on Hawaiʻi’s roads whether it be on foot, bike, or vehicle. In order to bike safely around Hawaiʻi, it is important to know the rules of the road as a cyclist. Here are a few tips to keep you safe while biking on The Big Island:

1. Ride with Traffic
   Follow the flow of traffic, and ride on the right side of the road. Use bike lanes when possible to keep yourself safe!

2. Use Hand Signals
   It is important to use hand signals when possible. If using a hand signal puts you at risk of a crash, prevent using a hand signal to avoid hurting yourself and others.

   
   Left Turn: Left hand and arm extended horizontally beyond the side of the bicycle.

   
   Right Turn: Right hand and arm extended horizontally to the right-hand side of the bicycle; OR left arm extended upward and hand raised as shown above.

   
   Stop or Sudden Decrease in Speed: Left hand and arm extended downward beyond the side of the bicycle.

3. Research Your Bike Routes
   Even as an experienced cyclist it is important to read about the biking routes you are taking. Knowing the terrain, climate, and local rules of the road are all beneficial to your own safety.

Biking is a great way to get around Hawaiʻi! See our “Without A Car” page for bike rentals in your area.

Source: Sharing the Road; A Guide to Bicycling in Hawaiʻi | AAA

The Hawaiʻi Police Department utilizes this month in effort to contribute towards the statewide effort to increase awareness about pedestrian safety. Although drivers are obligated to create a safe walking environment, pedestrians must do their part as well. Our mālama page discusses the rules pedestrians should follow while visiting the Island.

Here are some safety tips from HPD for drivers:

• Look out for pedestrians everywhere, at all times.
• Use extra caution when driving in hard-to-see conditions, such as nighttime or bad weather.
• Slow down and be prepared to stop when turning or otherwise entering a crosswalk.
• Yield to pedestrians in crosswalks and stop well back from the crosswalk to give other vehicles an opportunity to see the crossing pedestrians so they can stop, too.
• Never pass vehicles stopped at a crosswalk. There might be people crossing where you can’t see.
• Never drive under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.
• Follow the speed limit, especially around people on the street, in school zones and in neighborhoods where children are present.
• Be extra cautious when backing up and look for pedestrians.

Tips for pedestrians:

• Follow the rules of the road and obey signs and signals.
• Walk on sidewalks whenever they are available.
• If there is no sidewalk, walk facing traffic and as far from traffic as possible.
• Cross streets at crosswalks or intersections. Look for cars in all directions, including those turning left or right.
• If a crosswalk or intersection is not available, locate a well-lit area where you have the best view of traffic. Wait for a gap in traffic that allows enough time to cross safely; continue watching for traffic as you cross.
• Watch for cars entering or exiting driveways or backing up in parking lots.
• Avoid alcohol and drugs when walking; they impair your abilities and your judgment.

Source: Police Offer Tips During Pedestrian Safety Month | Big Island Now

A new survey conducted by the University of Hawaiʻi suggests that regenerative tourism is favored by the residents of the islands. Regenerative tourism is a sustainable manner to travel and discover places; it is when visitors have the mindset to leave a positive impact on their destination. In other words, the phrase means that visitors will place efforts to leave their destination in a better condition than how they found it. 98.7% residents positively responded to the tourism industry when regenerative tourism was explained as a possibility.

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa School of Travel Industry Management professor Jerry Agrusa is the co-author of the study, which surveyed 463 Kauaʻi residents. 96.3% of the residents favored regenerative tourism. According to Agrusa, “We’re looking at not just sustaining things, but making it better. And when we talk about making it better, we’re talking about for the environment, the land, the ocean, the ʻāina, but also the residents.”

Our mālama page emphasizes the importance of respecting the Island, and her messages align with the goals of regenerative tourism. Read more about Ways to mālama Hawaiʻi while visiting the Island of Hawaiʻi to learn how to respect the Island, its history, its culture, and its people.

Source: Survey Gauges Residents’ Perspective on ‘Regenerative’ Tourism | Big Island Now

Hawaiʻi Island took the lead in sustainable public transportation by implementing a hydrogen fueled bus into the County fleet. Now operating on multiple routes, the hydrogen bus has set a standard for the future of Hawaiʻi’s public transportation. Striving to achieve net-zero emissions by 2035, the Island is planning to convert the County’s fleet to align with Hawaiʻi’s Renewable Portfolio Standard of implementing 100% clean energy by 2045.

Hydrogen boasts many benefits in terms of fueling, and this includes a reduced reliance on imported fuel sources, improved efficiency compared to fossil fuels, and no CO2 emissions (only energy and water!). As one of the first places to commit to a sustainably fueled state, check out the hydrogen bus in Kailua-Kona to get an idea of Hawaiʻi’s energy future.

Source: Hele-On to Operate State’s First Hydrogen Bus | Big Island Now

The County of Hawaiʻi Civil Defense Agency has just unveiled its new COVID-19 Resources webpage.

The webpage provides a wealth of regularly-updated information you need to keep informed on the Coronavirus and how to keep yourself healthy and safe.

The link to the new webpage is https://coronavirus-response-county-of-hawaii-hawaiicountygis.hub.arcgis.com.

For further information, call Civil Defense at 935-0031.