Kauai, Hawaii, is engaging in extensive efforts to address a decline in health of local residents due to sedentary lifestyles and unhealthy eating habits. As part of the Mayor of Kauai’s vision to encourage and promote physical activity, the Kauai Parks and Recreation Department is collaborating with the Kauai District Health Office, Kauai Path, Inc., and a collection of other organizations—local, county, and federal—to develop Ke Ala Hele Makalae, a coastal multi-use path for biking, walking, and running. As of mid-2012, 8.7 miles of the trail were complete. The partners have a long-term goal for the path to stretch 25 miles and serve as an open-access, alternative transportation connection across the east side of Kauai Island.

Ke Ala Hele Makalae encourages physical activity among all local residents, with a focus on low-income families, children, the elderly, and the native population of Kauai. Additionally, the path is intended to serve the large amount of tourists that, most days, comprise approximately 25 percent of the island population. The partners say local hotels have been supportive of the path project because it provides a resource for staff and guests, and allows for alternative access to the properties. Hotels frequently promote the path—helping project partners expand the reach of their marketing efforts.

Kauai Parks and Recreation is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the path, such as keeping vegetation under control and monitoring usage; however, community members, organizations, and hotels volunteer to “adopt” portions of the path to enhance and maintain its beauty and appeal. 

One unique challenge of this project is the presence of many ancient Hawaiian burial grounds along the island’s coasts. To keep the project moving forward, Kauai Parks and Recreation engaged in an early collaboration with state and federal agencies to develop written guidelines for how to appropriately handle and navigate construction around the burial grounds.

With the understanding that the path can serve as a venue for a variety of events, the park and recreation department partnered with Get Fit Kauai to host a “Mayor-A-Thon” in order to promote multiple path uses and test management best practices. More than 1,000 people participated. Many other organizations and community groups have also used the path for races, fundraisers, and walking events. Kauai Parks and Recreation Department states “The more the path gets used by different people, the stronger the support. People are becoming more aware of the need to be healthier to live longer. The path just strengthens these ideals.”

Kauai’s health improvement efforts have reached hundreds of thousands of residents and tourists, and creators attribute this success to partnerships. “Common goals allow more opportunity for professional and community involvement,” states the Kauai District Health Office. “Combining efforts and sharing resources have created a greater focus on the development and extension of the multi-use path project.”