Speakers Bring Attention To Livability Issues At Kaneohe Neighborhood Board Monthly Meeting

Livability, in a variety of forms, was a topic of conversation during our November 17 meeting. Here are highlights:

Counting The Homeless: K.C. Connors of the Windward Homeless Alliance told us about the upcoming Oahu Point-In-Time Count, scheduled for January 22-27, 2017. The Alliance is seeking volunteers to conduct the annual survey, which is used to secure federal funding for services and housing for the homeless. 

Point-In-Time volunteers receive
training before conducting the survey.

A small turnout of volunteers is thought to have been a factor in a low count on the Windward side for last year's survey. This year, community members may volunteer to count as individuals, groups or businesses. Volunteers will be trained to administer a one-page survey to each homeless individual they encounter during the census.

Also regarding the homeless, we were told that Neighborhood Watch is reporting an increase in Windward Homeless numbers as individuals leave the rapidly developing Kakaako area of Honolulu.

Sharing Rides: We learned about a new vanpool program called Rideshare by Enterprise that is now serving our area.

In the program, volunteer drivers form vanpools of seven to 15 riders who have similar schedules and commute to the same geographic area each day. Each driver receives a monthly subsidy of $500 to cover van costs. Drivers also have use of their vans after working hours and on weekends. Vanpool riders pay $100 per month.

The Legislature provided the city $1 million over two years to support the program, with a goal of getting 1,050 drivers off the road. Enterprise representative Kanani Iaea, responding to a question from a resident, said the program does not affect funding for The Bus service. She also said the intent of the program is to offer another transportation solution, not to hurt Bus service.

Sharing Good Food: The Blue Zones Project is launching a campaign that combines healthy eating and socializing. The Potluck Moai campaign holds its organizing event from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., Thursday, December 1, at Bay View Golf Course, 45-285 Kaneohe Bay Drive.

Blue Zones describes potluck moais as “social groups of 5-8 people who gather at least 5 times during the course of 10 weeks to share healthy recipes and conversation in a potluck setting.”

For more information or to reserve a spot, contact Vanessa Stewart at Vanessa.Stewart@healthways.com or call 808-564-4767.

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