Safe Routes to School Program
PURPOSE The Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) manages the federal Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program, which has the following goals:
- Enable and encourage children, including those with disabilities, to walk and bicycle to school;
- Make bicycling and walking to school a safer and more appealing transportation alternative, thereby encouraging a healthy and active lifestyle from an early age; and
- Facilitate the planning, development, and implementation of projects and activities that will improve safety and reduce traffic, fuel consumption, and air pollution in the vicinity of schools.
In addition, a state SRTS program is established within HDOT that shall enhance traffic safety around schools, enable and encourage children to walk and bicycle to school, and make bicycling and walking to school a safer and more appealing transportation alternative.
CREATING A SRTS PROGRAM
Schools and communities interested in SRTS should see the handout below that provides guidance on creating a SRTS program.
How Communities Make SRTS Happen (pdf file)
In addition, the slideshow presentation below provides an overview of the federal SRTS program in Hawaii.
Overview of SRTS in Hawaii (pdf file)
Creating a SRTS plan is an important step in creating a SRTS program. See the document below for a list of information HDOT suggests including in a SRTS plan.
https://hidot.hawaii.gov/highways/files/2013/02/Creating-a-SRTS-Plan-Guidance-2013-2.pdf
FEDERAL AWARDS
The following projects were previously selected to receive federal SRTS funds provided by the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU).
|
Infrastructure Awards |
||||
|
Date |
Project |
Recipient |
Amount |
Status |
|
2/22/2012 |
Princess Nahienaena Elementary School Safe Routes to School Project |
County of Maui |
$116,189 |
Completed |
|
2/22/2012 |
Kamalii Elementary School Safe Routes |
County of Maui/Keonekai Neighborhood |
$404,629 |
Completed |
| 4/10/2014 | Island-Wide Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB) Crosswalks and Sidewalk Improvements | County of Kauai | $434,979 | Completed |
| 4/10/2014 | King Kaumualii School SRTS Phase 1 | County of Kauai | $1,207,560 | Completed |
| 4/10/2014 | Koloa Safe Routes Phase 2 | County of Kauai | $490,875 | Completed but not closed |
| 4/10/2014 | Paia School Frontage Improvements | County of Maui | $502,443 | Completed but not closed |
| 4/10/2014 | Paia School Sidewalk Improvements | County of Maui | $455,495 | Completed but not closed |
|
Non-Infrastructure Awards |
||||
|
Date |
Project |
Recipient |
Amount |
Status |
| 5/30/2008 | Non-Infrastructure Public Service Announcements | State of Hawaii DOT |
$162,662 |
Completed |
| 5/30/2008 | Safe Routes to School Awareness Project | State of Hawaii Department of Education |
$ 13,280 |
Completed |
| 6/9/2008 | West Hawaii Safe Routes to School Program | Peoples Advocacy for Trails Hawaii (PATH) |
$ 34,231 |
Completed |
| 6/9/2008 | Ride to Live, Live to Ride | Honolulu Police Department |
$48,202 |
Completed |
| 6/10/2008 | SRTS for Dole Middle School | Kokua Kalihi Valley |
$ 12,226 |
Completed |
| 4/10/2014 | Fern Elementary School SRTS | Michaels Community Services Corporation dba Better Tomorrows |
$39,058 |
Completed |
| 4/10/2014 | Putting Our Plans to Work | PATH – Peoples Advocacy for Trails Hawaii |
$6,029 |
Completed |
| 4/10/2014 | Get Fit Kauai SRTS | University of Hawaii at Manoa Office of Public Health Studies |
$19,809 |
Completed |
| 7/29/2016 | Campaign to Utilize Safe Routes to Wilson Elementary | Wilson Elementary School |
$5,036 |
Completed |
| 9/13/2018 | Hawaii Island Schools Bicycle and Pedestrian Education and Safety Program | PATH – Peoples Advocacy for Trails Hawaii | $20,735 | Completed |
STATE SRTS PROGRAM SPECIAL FUND
Act 317 (2012), signed into law on July 10, 2012, created county-level SRTS programs and established a state SRTS program special fund. HDOT adopted Chapter 19-109 of the Hawaii Administrative Rules (HAR) entitled “Safe Routes to School Program Special Fund” and distributed the amounts shown in the following table from the SRTS program fund to counties for fiscal years 2014 to 2020.
| State Fiscal Year | City and County of Honolulu | County of Hawaii | County of Kauai | County of Maui | Total | ||||
| Amount | Date of Transfer | Amount | Date of Transfer | Amount | Date of Transfer | Amount | Date of Transfer | Amount | |
| 2014 | $317,801 | 3/2015 | $94,329 | 6/2014 | $86,463 | 6/2014 | $101,406 | 6/2015 | $600,000 |
| 2015 | $158,901 | 6/2015 | $47,165 | 6/2015 | $43,232 | 7/2015 | $50,703 | 6/2015 | $300,000 |
| 2016 | $582,635 | 8/2016 | $172,937 | 6/2016 | $158,516 | 6/2016 | $185,911 | 5/2016 | $1,100,000 |
| 2017 | $291,318 | 7/2017 | $86,469 | 5/2017 | $79,258 | 6/2017 | $92,956 | 6/2017 | $550,000 |
| 2018 | $291,318 | 5/2018 | $86,469 | 4/2018 | $79,258 | 4/2018 | $92,956 | 4/2018 | $550,000 |
| 2019 | $287,409 | 5/2019 | $87,330 | 4/2019 | $77,677 | 4/2019 | $97,584 | 4/2019 | $550,000 |
| 2020 | $491,207 | 3/2020 | $149,254 | 3/2020 | $132,758 | 5/2020 | $166,780 | 3/2020 | $940,000 |
Act 9 (Special Session 2021), signed into law on July 20, 2021, required that the legislature appropriate funds from the SRTS program special fund to counties.
Act 244 (2023), signed into law on July 6, 2023, established the SRTS advisory committee that shall develop a streamlined process for the SRTS program, simplify the grant proposal application process, and expedite release of funding for SRTS projects. More information on the SRTS advisory committee is available at https://hidot.hawaii.gov/highways/safe-routes-to-school-advisory-committee/.
Act 244 (2023) also invalidated HAR Chapter 19-109 and instead requires HDOT to expend funds from the SRTS program special fund in coordination with the SRTS advisory committee. HDOT has provided funds towards, or intends to provide funds towards, the following projects as recommended by the SRTS advisory committee.
| State Fiscal Year | Project | Recipient | Amount | Date of Transfer of Funds* | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Mahoe Street Improvements, previously August Ahrens Elementary | City and County of Honolulu | $1,000,000.00 | Pending | Ongoing |
| 2026 | Safe Streets for All (SS4A), Phase 1 Walkways, previously Various – Determined (Complete Streets Walkways) | City and County of Honolulu | $900,000.00 | Pending | Ongoing |
| 2026 | Safety Improvements at High-Injury Locations Demonstration Project, previously Various – Undetermined (VZHII QBs) | City and County of Honolulu | $580,000.00 | Pending | Ongoing |
| 2026 | School Speed Limits, previously Various – Undetermined (School Speed Limits) | City and County of Honolulu | $500,000.00 | Pending | Ongoing |
| 2026 | Safe Routes to School Non-Infrastructure, previously Various – (Non-Infrastructure – Phase 1) | City and County of Honolulu | $50,000.00 | Pending | Ongoing |
| 2026 | Safe Route to Waiakea Schools – Kilauea Avenue Part 1, previously Waiakea Elementary, Intermediate & High School | County of Hawaii | $1,386,656.00 | Pending | Ongoing |
| 2026 | Hawaii County Safe Routes to School Non-Infrastructure Funds, previously Various (10% Non-Infrastructure – Phase 1) | County of Hawaii | $50,344.00 | Pending | Ongoing |
| 2026 | Kalaheo Safe Routes to School, previously Kalaheo Elementary School | County of Kauai | $2,000,000.00 | 12/2025 | Ongoing |
| 2026 | Kaohu Street Sidewalk Improvements, previously Iao Intermediate/Wailuku Elementary | County of Maui | $850,000.00 | Pending | Ongoing |
| 2026 | Fraser Avenue Pedestrian Improvements Project, previously Lanai High & Elementary | County of Maui | $327,000.00 | Pending | Ongoing |
| 2026 | Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFB) at Various Locations Project, previously Various (Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons at Various Locations) | County of Maui | $48,000.00 | Pending | Ongoing |
| 2026 | Kamehameha Avenue Sidewalk Improvements Project, previously Pomaikai Elementary/Kahului Elementary/Maui Waena Intermediate | County of Maui | $188,000.00 | Pending | Ongoing |
| 2026 | Hana Highway Multimodal Path, Vicinity of Haiku Elementary School, previously Haiku Elementary School (Shared Use Path) | HDOT | $100,000.00 | 12/2025 | Ongoing |
*Indicates the date funds were initially transferred for county projects, or the date a charge code was established for HDOT projects.
RESOURCES
National Center for SRTS www.saferoutesinfo.org
This site includes resources for data collection and evaluation including standardized data collection forms and an online report generation system, information about existing programs including the Vision Zero for Youth initiative and links to other resources.
SRTS Guide https://guide.saferoutesinfo.org/
A comprehensive SRTS guide provided by the National Center for SRTS with resources organized by topic.
National Bike to School Day events
International Walk to School events in the USA www.walkbiketoschool.org
The National Center for SRTS also coordinates International Walk to School Day in the USA each October and National Bike to School Day each May. This site includes resources such as promotional materials, safety tips and event planning guides, which can be used for walk and bike event planning year-round.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration www.nhtsa.gov
Pedestrian and bicycle safety materials and data are in the “road safety” section.
Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center www.pedbikeinfo.org
Federal clearinghouse of pedestrian and bicycle information about health and safety, engineering, advocacy, education, enforcement, access and mobility.
SRTS National Partnership saferoutespartnership.org
A group of organizations that advocates for SRTS programs. Distributes an e-newsletter with SRTS news and operates a listserv.
US Access Board www.access-board.gov
Design guidelines to assure accessibility for people with disabilities.
HDOT Pedestrian Safety Page for Educators https://hidot.hawaii.gov/walk-smart-for-ed/
A simple and easy gateway for the busy teacher, driver’s education instructor and other educators to see what the different agencies in Hawaii offer in the way of pedestrian safety information for all ages.
Planning Considerations Due to COVID-19 Pandemic https://pedbikeinfo.org/resources/resources_details.cfm?id=5232
This document, provided by the National Center for SRTS and Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center, describes the benefits of including walking and biking to school in school reopening plans and addresses four main planning questions.
CONTACT
For additional information on the SRTS federal and state program in Hawaii, contact:
State of Hawaii Safe Routes to School Coordinator
Tara Lucas
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (808)692-7696
For information on SRTS county programs, contact:
City and County of Honolulu Safe Routes to School Coordinator
Yamato Sasaki
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://honolulu.gov/srts
Phone: (808)768-8312
County of Hawaii Safe Routes to School Coordinator
Jesse Domian
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (808)961-8447
Website: https://hawaii-county-public-works-hawaiicountygis.hub.arcgis.com/pages/eng-srts
County of Kauai Safe Routes to School Coordinator
Keith Hatcher
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (808)241-4880
County of Maui Safe Routes to School Coordinator
Kurt Watanabe
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (808)270-7745