KAILUA-KONA — The West Hawaii Civic Center came to life on Sunday as runners, walkers, and families laced up their shoes for PATH’s May Day 5K with a purpose.
While the date carried a nod to Star Wars fans — “May the 4th Be with You” — the real force behind the event was the community’s effort to support PATH (People for Active Transportation Hawaii), a local 501(c)(3) nonprofit whose mission is to bring safe, accessible and active transportation opportunities in communities throughout the Big Island.
The event also blended fitness and aloha which aligned with Hawaii’s celebration of May Day and the spirit of giving back. With over 50 participants on the Queen’s Lei trail path along Ane Keohokalole Highway, the race served a dual purpose of raising funds and awareness for PATH’s hands-on Bike Ed program.
“We are putting on our 2nd annual PATH 5K and this race is a fundraiser for PATH,” said Kelly Hudik, chief operating officer for PATH and race director. “It helps to provide funds for our Bike Education program, and we do it at the West Hawaii Civic Center because we don’t have to close the roads down.
“We are also using the Queen’s Lei protected pathway along Anekeohokalole Highway, which is also one of the projects PATH put in place for the community. It highlights just one of the many things that PATH does for the community which is to advocate for safe walking and biking trails around the island.”
PATH’s popular Bike Ed program teaches 4th grade students across the Big Island essential skills for riding safely on roads and navigating real-life traffic situations. Hudik said that over the past year, PATH brought its bike safety program to 18 elementary schools reaching more than 1,000 students — many of whom wouldn’t have had access to this type of hands-on education otherwise. PATH’s program plays an essential role in local schools by providing lifesaving lessons that go far beyond the three-day class — a healthier lifestyle and the importance of exercise from riding a bike.
In two weeks, PATH will cap off a busy year at Honokaa Elementary School.
“We also provide each student with a free bike helmet and this event helps to take care of the funding for that,” Hudik said. “Each helmet is about $15 each so providing a free helmet to 1000 kids, we need funds to do this. PATH is a 100% grant and donation funded. So, this is a way for us to get funds to continue to do the important work which is to teach kids how to ride safe and be active around the island.”
Participants followed the paved trail path of Queen’s Lei along Anekeohokalole Highway for the out-and-back 5K course. The event welcomed all levels — seasoned runners, weekend walkers, and keiki tagging along with parents — all moving forward together for a shared cause.
Crossing the finish line first in the men’s division was Keegan Pacchioi with a time of 20 minutes and 41 seconds. In second place was Adam Ankrum in 21:39 and Brennan Grass taking third in 22:23. On the women’s side, Laura Ankrum led the pack at 20:44, with Maria Cicio in second at 21:37, and Victoria Hunter rounding out the top three at 23:47.
With roads being busier and distractions more common these days, programs like PATH’s Bike Ed matter more than ever. Thanks to the support from this May Day 5K event, PATH will continue rolling forward — one school, one student, and one safe ride at a time.
“We are such an active community, and this is a great way for us to think of it from the driver’s perspective,” Hudik said.
“It’s important to educate people that cyclists are supposed to be on our roads, and they are supposed to take a lane when there are obstructions or when making a left-hand turn. This is to make it easier for everybody when we are out on the road, and most importantly, to spread the word that we all need to share the road.”
Anyone interested in learning more about PATH, donating to PATH, or interested in volunteering for a bike education program, please visit their website at www.pathhawaii.org.
