Knock Knock on the Door of the House.

Riding a bicycle reconnects people to their community. The ridiculousness of the hustle-and-bustle of rushing to one’s next destination is muted on a bicycle. The amiable mode of transportation provides the opportunity for humans to interact with other humans. Coincidentally, bicycles often move faster then automobiles on an overpopulated island.

Courtesy of the Hawaii Department of Health’s Healthy Hawaii Initiative, KVIBE was given the opportunity to provide Kokua Kalihi Valley (KKV) staff with a fleet of bicycles. The bicycles were titled “KKVHKL” as in “KKVehicle” and uniformly colored pink. Designed for KKV staff to utilize during operational hours for transportation and/or exercise, the KKVHKLs are now fully launched.

Josie Sagisi of KKV’s Gulick Elder Center occasionally pilots a KKVHKL for client home visits - photo by Merlita Compton. Leisurely pedaling a bicycle to deliver clients’ goods provides time to learn the contours of the neighborhood’s landscape. KKVHKL bicycles promote KKV’s mission of wellness throughout the community.

Soon to accompany KKVHKLs will be Mobile KVIBE. A domestically made cargo bicycle is currently en route to Honolulu from Oregon. Mobile KVIBE will allow the brick-and-mortar bicycle education program to be portable. It is with great hope that Mobile KVIBE will establish a physical advocacy for bicycles on a small island. Ride a Bicycle.