Kupuna, keikei, and everyone in between came together on Saturday, March 19, 2011, to celebrate the dedication of the new Malaekahana bike and pedestrian path. Over 500 people were in attendance at this momentous occasion. Members from the Kahuku and Laie communities, students from BYU–Hawaii and friends from around the island all gathered to witness the unveiling of the path.
The groundbreaking for the path took place six months ago and the projected date for its completion was in April. With over 275 individuals volunteering and over 800 hours of service on the construction of the path, much of the credit is being given to the communities and people who took time to make it happen. Kevin Schlag, a member of the Laie Community Association, complimented, “This has been an excellent example of how communities can work together to get things done."
According to EnvisionLaie.com, the new bike and pedestrian path stretches 1.2 miles from Kahuku to Laie. The entities responsible for the creation of this path are Hawaii Reserves, Inc. (HRI), Laie Community Association (LCA), and Kahuku Community Association (KCA). At the dedication event, each entity was recognized and representatives from LCA (Kevin Schlag), and HRI (Eric Beaver) shared their thanks to all those involved.
“This, indeed, is a wonderful project and a historic event. It is strengthening relationships and improving safety in our community, and I am especially thrilled to see the young people in our community using the pathway to exercise as well as to stroll to and from school,” said Eric Beaver, president of HRI. This new path is the first of many projects that the Envision Laie team has planned and has sparked enthusiasm in many community members.
Following the dedication, one community member stated on her website, “I’m coming to understand better now what Envision Laie is all about after seeing this project completed. I’m so thankful to live in a community that doesn’t just sit around and let time pass. I am thankful for the people who envision Laie having a brighter future.”
Photo courtesy of EnvisionLaie.com