Advocating for equitable and accessible mobility in Honolulu

Jul 28, 2023

Ulupono Initiative’s Director of Transportation Policy and Programs Kathleen Rooney participated in a panel at the People, Planet and Prosperity for a Sustainable Future Conference held at Chaminade University in June. Katelyn Davis, communications lead for external affairs at Cavnue; and Kristin Shaw, the transportation decarbonization specialist for the City of Detroit,  led the session, building off their work in the ground-breaking book Women-Driving Mobility, of which one of the case studies was Ulupono’s work on automated, accessible, connected, electric and shared vehicles in Hawaii. The conference provided a unique opportunity to discuss mobility challenges specific to an island community, emphasizing the need for tailored solutions, and highlighting why and how to make our transportation decision making processes and systems more inclusive and people-oriented. 

The presentation focused on equitable and accessible mobility solutions and how they can transform communities. The panelists highlighted the intersection of the built environment and the disparities that arise when vulnerable populations are not considered in urban planning. Rooney showcased Ulupono Initiative’s work in helping to elevate community voices in Hawaii and emphasized the importance of collaboration and knowledge sharing to advance equitable and sustainable transportation.

Read Davis’ blog post about the conference and about equitable and accessibility mobility.