Walking To School With Lanikai ‘Bus’ For Safety

Leave the car in the garage and put on some walking shoes: Walking School Bus will be back Sept. 5 for Lanikai Elementary School students.

WSB provides a safe, communal way for children to walk or bike to school with their peers. Parents, teachers, community leaders and students will meet at three locations by 7:20 a.m. Friday: Kailua Hale (across from Buzz’s), Kailua Beach Park boat ramp and the park’s roundabout parking area (for bikers).

All groups will depart at 7:30 for their 10-minute trek to school. Police officers will assist as crosswalk guards.

The program will continue on the first Friday of each month for the remainder of the school year, on Oct. 3, Nov. 7, Dec. 5, Feb. 6, March 6 and May 1.

WSB is a nationwide initiative that strives to establish safer walking and bicycling routes for schoolchildren. It’s also designed to raise awareness about pedestrian safety, traffic congestion, the environment and keiki health.

For more information, contact parent-community networking center facilitator Espie Chapman at 266-7844 or email her at echapman@lanikaielementary.com.