The Milkman Will Deliver.

Riding a bicycle is fun. And should always be an activity that is enjoyed. However, riding on the streets of Honolulu are not always fun. Some people will attest that it is “dangerous.”

Jorge Portillo is twenty-years-old. Jorge attends the University of Phoenix on full academic scholarship after graduating from Kalihi’s Farrington High School. Jorge is still at Farrington High School now as a staff member in the IT department. Anyone who has ever met Jorge knows of his passion for robotic technologies.

A few months ago Jorge discovered bicycles. He found an old Raleigh road bicycle frame from KVIBE and built it up. Jorge confided that he began riding bicycles because he wanted to meet friends.

And boy, did Jorge meet friends! At first Jorge rode on Tuesday evenings with a crew of kids from Pearl City. Then Jorge found HNL Bike Polo. This was when Jorge really began to shine and was nicknamed “The Milkman” because he ordered a hearty glass of milk at a bar. Jorge’s bike polo friends are a rowdy, jubilant, loving group of friends that embraced The Milkman and his passion for bicycles.

Last evening around 11PM Jorge was riding his bicycle in the center Ewa-bound lane of Dillingham Boulevard just before Kalihi Street when he was hit from behind by a truck. The driver of the vehicle did not stop to render aid and fled the scene. A hit-and-run by every definition.

Jorge was listed in critical condition upon his arrival at Queens Medical. Since then The Milkman has woken up. And despite this good news, Jorge will still have a long tough journey to travel.

This is a plead to the community of Kalihi and all motorists: Please put down the mobile. Please keep your eyes in front. Please do not drive over the speed limit - the speed limit exists for a reason; its an island where does one need to rush to? Please understand that driving is a privilege and not a right. Please Drive with ALOHA.

Two Wheels Are Rad.

HNL Bike will be hosting its second "Holo Holo Ride" this Friday - August 26, 2011. All bicycles and their cohorts are welcome to attend. The informal meet-up will take place 6PM at the Father Damien statue fronting Hawaii's State Capitol. Bring a helmet, bright lights, and the joyful realization of riding bicycles with friends.

HOLO HOLO RIDE | 8.26.11 | Hawaii State Capitol | 6PM

We Are The Young Folks.

The KVIBE warehouse doors have a new look. The artwork was manifested by Erik Patton, a Honolulu graffiti artist, skateboarder, and cyclist. Patton spent a portion of yesterday working on a fresh representation of KVIBE’s continuing evolution. The beautiful piece of art is on display right now.

KVIBE is open today. With extended hours, hopefully more children (and the community of Kalihi Valley) will find the warehouse and learn about bicycles. KVIBE exists solely to provide children with positive pursuits, knowledge, and a safe place to learn about the vast possibilities of riding a bicycle.

As author H.G. Wells once said, “When I see an adult on a bicycle, I do not despair for the future of the human race.”

KVIBE’s goal is for the Kalihi Valley community’s children to be avid cyclists. Bicycles are efficiently simple transportation devices. Every part of a bicycle is fixable with hearty elbow grease. And quite often the solution is very straightforward.

KVIBE is Open. Ride A Bicycle.

Got To Keep Running.

Hello.

KVIBE is now open three days a week.

Wednesday 12 - 5PM

Friday 12 - 5:30PM
Saturday 10AM - 3PM

Bring your bicycles, and come say “Hello” - secret handshake not required. Adults are welcome but as always, KVIBE is for the kids of Kalihi Valley.

Statehood Day Is A Holiday.

KVIBE will be closed this Friday (August 19, 2011) in observance of Hawaii's Statehood. Celebrate America by riding a bicycle up a hill - perhaps Willeminha Rise. KVIBE will resume normal operation hours on Saturday.

Pass This On - An Introduction.

sometime between the ages of teen angst and mediocre adulthood I realized that I was not meant to operate a motor vehicle. there were many factors that drove me to this conclusion; one of the reasons may have been that moment sitting in traffic and understanding - with clarity - what a caged bird felt like. the bicycle is mobility, and mobility is the greatest freedom of them all.

hello, my name is sau hsu. as of right now I am the new program coordinator of KVIBE. I respect all previous coordinators whom have held the position prior and hopefully I will make them and the community proud. as I am terrible at introducing myself, kokua kalihi valley’s jared christenot sent a few questions for me to answer.

JC: Do you mind sharing your first bicycle experience?
sau: my first bicycle experience probably involved me falling. actually, I am fairly certain it involved falling...repeatedly.

JC: Your favorite ride on the island?
sau: my favorite ride on the island is around the island. I have done it numerous times on different bicycles and it is always enjoyable. its curious when people choose to drive automobiles at reckless speeds when one can easily ride a bicycle around an island.

JC: Current wheels?
sau: bianchi d2 super pista (track bicycle) and cannondale caad 10 (road bicycle).

JC: How did you hear about KVIBE?
sau: back in college my friend j atencio was unreasonably enthusiastic about riding bicycles and got all our friends into bicycles. j atencio was heavily involved volunteering at KVIBE and introduced everyone to cyrus camp, a regular volunteer at KVIBE who spread the gospel of the little bike warehouse that could. cyrus now owns the kickstand.

JC: How do you see KVIBE evolving?
sau: my plan is to make KVIBE a sustainable program. I would ideally like to see the youth become adults that build and ride bicycles.

JC: Biggest concern of bicycling on Oahu?
sau: not enough people riding bicycles - its a small island! I really do not care what type of bicycle one may be riding on the streets, as long as you are riding you are my friend. the greatest form of bicycle advocacy is people waking up in the morning and deciding to ride bicycles. heck, even the amish ride bicycles. that says something.

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KVIBE could use some quality adult role models, so please volunteer. volunteers must know their way around a bicycle, be patient, friendly, and encouraging. if anyone is up to challenge and sports a strong character, please consider volunteering. the operating hours of the KVIBE warehouse will be established very shortly.

please feel free to email me for all KVIBE related inquiries: shsu@kkv.net. the phone is a bit on the frizz at the moment so email is the best bet. if it finds you well please be a friend of KVIBE via facebook - link on lower left corner via “our friends." (photo by ilana nimz)

Volunteer Spotlight: Larry Victorino

The past three months, KVIBE has had the fortunate serendipity of volunteer Larry Victorino. Approached by his neighbor - whom spotted Larry working on bicycles in his Kalihi apartment - Larry eventually found his way to the KVIBE warehouse. Every Saturday for three months Larry has spent five hours assisting the youth of Kalihi Valley with bicycle nuances.

Larry began working with bicycles at the age of fourteen. At his Hilo hometown, Larry set up a bicycle shop at a local thrift store. Eventually moving to Kalihi, Larry began working on the neighborhood children's bicycles in his apartment - “no garage, so I worked on bikes inside.”

Now folks can find Larry at KVIBE every Saturday. Larry’s insight of alternative bicycle repair methods keeps bicycles moving. Larry’s main goal is to be “a friendly user to the kids, to give back to the community (of Kalihi Valley).” He encourages other adults to volunteer as “its their community too.”

Larry believes in bicycle safety. And hopes that the kids of Kalihi will sport helmets and ride their bicycles with an awareness of vehicular traffic. If it finds you well, please come visit Larry at KVIBE.