Sneak peek: Improving women’s mobility and access in ʻEwa and Waipahu
At Hawaiʻi Appleseed, we believe that where you live should never determine how far you can go. That’s why we’re currently in Phase II of our Mobility, Access and Transportation Insecurity (MATI) project—a community-centered research effort focused on understanding the unique transportation challenges faced by low-income women and their families in ʻEwa and Waipahu.
The MATI program is funded through the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and led nationally by the University of Minnesota’s Center for Transportation Studies. Hawaiʻi Appleseed is one of a select number of nonprofits chosen to receive a demonstration grant, and we’re carrying out this work in partnership with the Hawaiʻi Public Health Institute (HIPHI) and SSFM International.
We’re gathering baseline data through surveys and interviews administered by community health workers, including members of the Pilina Builders—trusted community leaders uniquely positioned to have these conversations.
We’re still in the middle of data collection, but the early findings are striking and we wanted to share a sneak peek.
What We’re Hearing
All interview participants are kept confidential. What follows reflects common themes emerging across our interviews with women in ʻEwa and Waipahu.
The Handi-Van Is Unreliable and Hard to Access
For women who depend on paratransit, the Handi-Van is often their only option—but it comes with serious limitations. Interviewees have explained that riders must book 2–3 days in advance, with no same-day reservations available. Further, vans are permitted to arrive up to 30 minutes late, but riders who aren’t outside and ready the moment the van arrives risk being left behind. One interviewee put it plainly:
“They’re allowed to arrive up to 30 minutes late, but we’re not allowed to be five minutes late.”
Rides can stretch 2–3 hours due to multiple stops, and when vans don’t show up, the consequences are real. One interviewee missed an entire community event because no van was available for over 90 minutes. Another lost a full day of pay after forgetting to book ahead.
Bus Service Is Too Slow, Infrequent, and Unsafe to Be Practical
Across nearly every interview, women described the bus as inadequate for their daily lives. In certain areas of ʻEwa and Waipahu, routes are sparse, trips take two to three times longer than driving, and transfers are often required. One interviewee described her frustration:
“My workplace is near UH West Oʻahu. By car it takes 15–25 minutes, but by bus it can take an hour because there’s no direct route."
Safety is also a concern. Several interviewees described bus stops that are in-use before sunrise without lighting, as well as stops that require walking through unsafe areas to reach a destination. Most women said they would use the bus more if it were safer, more direct, and more frequent.
The Rail Has a Serious First/Last-Mile Gap and Limited Hours
Women who want to use Skyline largely can’t. Not because of the rail itself, but because getting to and from stations remains a barrier.
“It doesn’t come into my neighborhood. The issue isn’t the rail itself—it’s getting to the rail.”
Several women live too far from a station and would need to take a bus just to reach it. Others work late shifts and can’t rely on the rail because it closes before their workday ends. Women with mobility limitations also reported broken elevators at stations as a recurring accessibility issue.
What Women Are Asking For
The women we interviewed also have ideas. Their suggestions were practical, specific, and grounded in lived experience.
Shuttle service connecting neighborhoods to rail stations was the most consistent ask. Multiple interviewees said they’d willingly pay a small fee for a reliable connector that closed the first/last-mile gap.
“If there were shuttle services connecting homes to the rail, that would really help. I’d be willing to pay around $25 for that.”
Women also called for expanded and reformed Handi-Van service—more vans, more funding and, critically, same-day reservation capability. As our communities grow and our neighbors age, this need will only increase.
Finally, interviewees want more bus routes with direct service and extended rail hours into the evening. Several also advocated for the rail to expand further toward underserved communities like Waiʻanae, ʻEwa Beach, and Central Oʻahu. And one interviewee offered a vision rooted in community spirit:
“If someone is working and their car breaks down, there should be some kind of community ride system. Like a call tree where you contact a group, and whoever is available can help give you a ride.”
What Comes Next
We are currently in the middle of Phase II of the MATI project. Once baseline data collection is complete, we plan to work with SSFM, HIPHI, and other partners to bring pedestrian safety and bus stop improvements to ʻEwa and Waipahu.
As for larger-scale concerns—bus service, Handi-Van reform, and rail access—our goal is to make sure these community voices reach the people with the power to act on them. We aim to spotlight these findings with decision makers and policymakers, and we hope this research can lead to effective, needed policy change that community members can feel directly in their daily lives.
