Mayor Carvalho, Department Heads Participate In Peer-Exchange Tour

A large contingent of Hawai‘i officials from every county along with officials from other municipalities across the U.S. mainland last week participated in the Pacific Northwest Peer-Exchange Tour. Their primary mission was to learn how to utilize modern transportation tools to meet land use needs.
Kaua‘i County was represented by Mayor Bernard Carvalho, Jr., County Engineer Larry Dill, and Planning Director Michael Dahilig. Bev Brody, executive director for Get Fit Kaua‘i, also went on the tour.
”The whole tour took place outdoors, so we were able to experience what it’s like to walk, ride a bike, use transit or ride a car in the different built environments, which ranged from simple to complex,” said the mayor. He noted that on the last day, the group went on a two-hour bike ride around Portland.
The participants saw firsthand how the key elements of Complete Streets can be applied and gained an understanding of how to create streets and buildings that fully support an existing population resulting in a vibrant business economy.
In addition, the participants had the opportunity to network with their peers and discuss the challenges of implementing change.
Two cities, Seattle and Portland, were featured in the tour, along with smaller communities in Washington State including University Place, Bainbridge and High Point.
“Of course, not everything we saw would be appropriate for Kaua‘i, but we can take some of the ideas and implement them here,” said the mayor. “Essentially, what we are striving for is to optimize our built environment to help people live healthier and happier lives.”
Mayor Carvalho pointed out that the state Legislature enacted a Complete Streets law in 2009 requiring the counties to adopt a Complete Streets policy that seeks to provide safe passage on public roadways for all users including bicyclists, transit riders, motorists, as well as pedestrians of all ages and abilities.
Led by Brody and other community leaders, Kaua‘i County was the first in the state to adopt a Complete Streets policy and in 2013 went on to pass a Complete Streets bill.
“We’re starting to implement Complete Streets elements with the Hardy Street improvement project, and I think it’s encouraging people to walk more often, enjoy the outdoors and make healthier choices,” said the mayor. “Soon we’ll be able to build upon the foundation laid there with the TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) grant projects.”
Earlier this week, the mayor received word that Kaua‘i County was among 39 applicants that were successful in their bid for grant funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation.
The Department received 627 applications from all 50 states and several U.S. territories including tribal governments.
The award granted to the county was $13.8 million dollars for the Līhu‘e Town Core Mobility and Revitalization Project.

Kaua‘i Mayor Bernard Carvalho, Jr. (Rt.), Hawai‘i County long range planner April Surprenant and Hawai‘i County Council Chair Dru Kanuha share a laugh prior to embarking on a bike tour of Portland. The bike ride was part of the Pacific Northwest Peer-Exchange Tour last week.

Seattle’s Housing Agency staff discuss the High Point affordable housing redevelopment with U.S. government officials including Kaua‘i Mayor Bernard Carvalho, Jr. (shown in the front row in a red shirt). The group was in Seattle last week for the Pacific Northwest Peer-Exchange Tour.

Kaua‘i Mayor Bernard Carvalho, Jr. , Kaua‘i County Planning Director Michael Dahilig and Kaua‘i County Engineer Larry Dill enjoy a city parklet in Seattle. The county officials were in Seattle last week for the Pacific Northwest Peer Exchange Tour.