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Advocates urge expansion of Hele‑On Shared Ride across Hawaii Island to serve rural residents
Summary
Advocates and self‑advocates told the committee that expanding the Hele‑On Shared Ride program would give rural residents, people with disabilities, and kupuna better access to work, medical care and community services; the committee adopted the resolution requesting the County of Hawaii to pursue expansion.
Andrew, executive director for the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, said expanding the Hele‑On Shared Ride program on Hawaii Island responds to testimony from dozens of advocates who find limited fixed‑route service and paratransit coverage outside urban centers. He said 27 advocates raised access concerns during a Kona legislative forum and urged flexibility to reach West Hawaii, North Kohala, Kaʻu and Puna.
Kylie Swan, a self‑advocate, said shared‑ride expansion would allow people with disabilities, kupuna and families to get to appointments, work and community activities without long delays.
Committee members discussed cost constraints and the need to integrate any shared‑ride expansion with existing fixed routes and paratransit services; the executive director said possible approaches include limited frequency pilot routes or hybrid dial‑in/online booking with in‑person or phone scheduling options for kupuna.
The committee adopted HCR 154/HR 146 requesting the County of Hawaii to expand Hele‑On Shared Ride service to underserved rural areas. The committee asked the county to consider pilot scheduling, funding options, and inclusion of non‑tech booking options to serve kupuna.
Next steps: The committee report will ask the County of Hawaii to outline an integration plan, funding needs and options for pilot routes, and to coordinate with state partners on potential funding and operations.
