A Transportation Forum was held on January 8, 2026, bringing together local and national transportation leaders, planners, policymakers, community partners, and students for a full day of discussion focused on advancing safe, equitable, and multimodal mobility on Oʻahu. Through a series of panels and facilitated conversations, the Forum examined strategies to reduce traffic fatalities, expand walk, roll, bike, and transit access, infrastructure, and services, better align transportation investments with climate, health, and equity goals, and build communities that are vibrant and walkable.
In advance of the Forum, the Oʻahu Metropolitan Planning Organization and Hawaiʻi Department of Health organized a Transportation Tour highlighting key elements of Oʻahu’s transportation system, including TheBus, Skyline, and several City-led projects in the Waipahu and Iwilei transit-oriented development (TOD) areas. City and State representatives joined the tour as subject matter experts, sharing insights on ongoing initiatives, Complete Streets projects, and future development plans. This collaborative effort fostered meaningful discussion and provided the national guest speakers with valuable local context that enriched their Forum presentations.
The Forum was sold out, drawing 150 attendees representing the public and private sectors, elected officials’ offices, academic institutions, and nonprofit and advocacy organizations. Panelists shared best practices, emerging research, and real-world case studies, while moderators guided thoughtful dialogue on implementation challenges and opportunities unique to island communities. According to a post-event survey, 88 percent of respondents reported feeling more informed about transportation planning and policy as a result of attending.
A key theme throughout the Forum was the importance of cross-agency collaboration and community-centered planning to deliver transportation solutions that improve safety, access, and quality of life for all residents. Insights and takeaways from the Forum will help inform future planning efforts and support ongoing work to create a safer, more resilient, and better-connected transportation system for Oʻahu.
The Forum was hosted by the Oʻahu Metropolitan Planning Organization in partnership with the Hawaiʻi Department of Health and the Hawaiʻi Public Health Institute.
