BIG ISLAND SCHOOLS MOVING NATURALLY FOR NATIONAL BIKE/WALK TO SCHOOL DAY
Ten schools on the Big Island joined schools across the country to celebrate National Bike/Walk to School Day in May 2018.
Some Kalanianaole students and staff have been walking regularly all year. This was a chance for everyone in the school to get involved with over 250 participants!
Approximately 1,700 students participated in various events, along with parents, teachers and community leaders. Event support was provided by the following community partners: PATH (Peoples Advocacy for Trails Hawaii), West Hawai‘i Community Health Center, Hawai’i Public Health Institute, and Blue Zones Project.
The entire Hōnaunau Elementary school and neighbor preschool joined the day with an all-school Walking Moai. The student council led their peers in defining the Blue Zones Project and Moais so that everyone engaged in meaningful conversation while walking.
Students at Kahakai Elementary, Ka‘ū High/Pahala Elementary, Kohala Elementary, Waikoloa Elementary and Intermediate, and Waimea Elementary participated in traditional “Walk to School” events. Hōnaunau Elementary, Kealakehe Elementary, Pahoa Elementary, Kalanianaole Elementary and Intermediate and Waiakea Intermediate Schools planned activities such as makahiki games and campus walks during school hours.
Hōnaunau upper grades then got to participate in a bike safety course with the support of PATH, People’s Advocacy for Trails Hawaii. Councilwoman Maile Medeiros David gave a motivating message before the all-school Walking Moai.
Walk to School Day encourages a nationwide activity-focused celebration for students in the month of May and builds on the popularity and success of Walk to School Day, which is celebrated across the country – and the world – each October. Walk to School Day events raise awareness of the need to create safer routes for students’ active transport to schools, and emphasize the importance of issues such as increasing physical activity among children, pedestrian safety, reducing traffic congestion and concern for the environment. The events build connections between families, schools and the broader community.
Waiakea Intermediate student wearing a haku lei she made herself. Students at WIS walked by grade during advisory.
48 schools on the Big Island have engaged with the Blue Zones Project since its start in 2015. To date, there are 19 schools that are Blue Zones Project Approved™ on the Big Island that cover the BZP communities of East, North and West Hawai‘i.
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