Kane'ohe group studying van service for seniors

By Eloise Aguiar
Advertiser Windward O'ahu Writer

KANE'OHE — The city bus strike that left thousands of people scrambling for rides has given a nudge to a proposal to provide seniors with door-to-door transportation service in Kane'ohe operated by volunteers from the Kane'ohe Lions Club.

The Lions, using city-provided vans, answered the call for help during the strike by taking seniors to shopping centers, doctor's appointments and grocery stores, said Roy Yanagihara, vice president of the Kane'ohe Lions.

The experience gave the group the incentive to move forward on a transportation idea that has been kicked around for two years, said Yanagihara, who is also chairman of the Kane'ohe Neighborhood Board.

"I picked up 80-year-old people walking 2 1/2 miles to Longs Drug Stores each day," he said. "The amount of groceries they can carry is limited because they have to walk. Even the bus service is limited for them because they have to walk to the bus stop."

The project is only in the planning stages, but Yanagihara said the service would be community based and community supported with little government help. Riders could pay a fee or be given coupons by businesses that allow for free rides. Businesses would benefit from the service, so Yanagihara said he would like to see some kind of contribution from them.

Yanagihara said he hopes to get a multipassenger van through the federal Section 5310 grant program that supports this type of service. The Lions could operate it on a volunteer basis as they did during the bus strike.

Seniors appreciated the service, he said.

Some seniors at the Kane'ohe Community and Senior Center said they currently drive or ride with others. But Janet Wojtowicz, 80, said she'd consider using a shuttle service if the need arose. The state would have to apply for the financing, which can be used to purchase a vehicle, according to a Federal Transit Administration Web site. Under a 5310 grant the federal government pays 80 percent and the local sponsor pays 20 percent. The program is intended to help meet the needs of the elderly and people with disabilities.

Yanagihara said he still must meet with state officials about the prospects, but he said he believes the program could be taken statewide and eventually turned over to a nonprofit organization to operate.

Vicki Harris, executive director for the state Van Pool program, said she deals with commuters going to and from work but services for the elderly are needed.

"There is always an unmet need in that venue," Harris said, adding that the elderly sometimes find themselves without transportation when the spouse who did the driving is no longer around, or they may be in assisted living housing or live too far from a bus stop and are not mobile enough to get there.

A grant would provide a van but not a driver, insurance, maintenance and gasoline, she said. The grant also could take two years to receive.

Nevertheless, Harris said a strong community-based effort always works best, "because a strong community is committed, and usually where there are committed folks there's a long line standing behind them."

The Kane'ohe Business Group discussed the idea recently and sees a need for the service, said Sandy Oguma, president of the organization.

Oguma said the business group would be willing to support the effort with manpower, lobbying or letter writing.

"We think it's a very good concept," she said. "It has the potential to become very beneficial to the community."

Reach Eloise Aguiar at eaguiar@honoluluadvertiser.com or 234-5266.