BZP works with policymakers, community members, and advocacy groups to design and pass policies that improve the builtenvironment infrastructure, reduce tobacco use, and improve access to healthy foods across each island and the state.
Our Blue Zones Project communities have taken impressive steps to adopt policies and plans that have set a clear path for these communities to become thriving, livable places for residents and visitors alike. Elected leaders, county staff, and community partners have been very supportive of Blue Zones Project because they see how the Project has brought a diverse group of stakeholders together to form new partnerships and achieve an impressive number of policy successes since 2015.
Blue Zones Project communities across Hawai‘i have many achievements to be proud of, including a state- and county-wide Vision Zero Policy, updated the O’ahu Bike Plan and O’ahu Pedestrian Plan, Healthy by Default legislation, expansion of the DA BUX double-up food-bucks program statewide, the creation of a Hawai’i Youth Food Council, and the implementation of smoke-free policies on all University of Hawai’i campuses. With ongoing leadership support and commitment from partner coalitions and organizations, Blue Zones Project – Hawai‘i communities will continue to distinguish themselves across Hawai’i and the nation as innovators for policy approaches to improve health and well-being.
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Blue Zones Project helped to secure nearly $16M in grant funding towards improvements in policies, programs, and infrastructure projects across the state.
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Blue Zones Project helped to secure more than 65 mini-grants for youth service projects across the state.
Food Policy
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The Food Basket, with support from Blue Zones Project, applied for and won $1 million in federal funds to match $1 million raised by nonprofits, foundations, health plans, businesses, and farmers markets, and received $100,000 from the Hawai’i legislature to fund the expansion of the Da Bux double-up bucks program from Hawai’i Island to the entire state of Hawaii.
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BZP helped to launch the first ever Hawai‘i Youth Food Council, which now consists of 10 members representing four counties. The council is focused on improving the school food environment and convening youth advocates through conferences such as the We Grow Hawai’i Conference.
Built Environment
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Resolution 18-219, a Vision Zero Policy that BZP actively supported and advocated for, was introduced and adopted statewide.
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Blue Zones Communities across the state have spearheaded several quick-build projects to improve pedestrian safety, such as the Kalihi Project, Old Stadium Park’s painted bulb-outs, Maui Lani Roundabout, and the Papipi Road Project to name a few.
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Safe Routes to School projects were implemented across the state to improve safety for students and pedestrians.
Tobacco Policy
- The HIPHI Youth Council has been strengthened with the addition of new members from Blue Zones Project participating schools and has been active in advocating for a ban on flavored tobacco products, meeting with state representatives, and leading webinars about the vaping epidemic.
What people are saying about Blue Zones Project
“Blue Zones Project has been a great convener of organizations and leaders that have focused on community health and well-being. Many people were working to make our community healthier in silos and now we are working together and making things happen thanks to Blue Zones Project! Our community is walking and biking more, and I am thrilled that people are moving. Creating more awareness about safe places to walk and bike is important, and I am thankful that I have a team of community organizations that align with the goals we have at PATH!”
Tina Clothier, Hawai’i Island Resident, Former PATH Director
“Blue Zones Project has been a great convener of organizations and leaders that have focused on community health and well-being. Many people were working to make our community healthier in silos and now we are working together and making things happen thanks to Blue Zones Project! Our community is walking and biking more, and I am thrilled that people are moving. Creating more awareness about safe places to walk and bike is important, and I am thankful that I have a team of community organizations that align with the goals we have at PATH!”
Tina Clothier, Hawai’i Island Resident, Former PATH Director
“Once we started Blue Zones Project in Kapolei-‘Ewa, we were able to fix a road that was a problem for over a decade. I wouldn’t have been able to accomplish the initiatives in Kapolei and ‘Ewa, had it not been for Blue Zones Project. ”
Kymberly Pine, Former Councilwoman
“Once we started Blue Zones Project in Kapolei-‘Ewa, we were able to fix a road that was a problem for over a decade. I wouldn’t have been able to accomplish the initiatives in Kapolei and ‘Ewa, had it not been for Blue Zones Project. ”
Kymberly Pine, Former Councilwoman
“As a parent and Ewa Beach resident, I take this intersection every morning. My kids know it’s a dangerous intersection, but now it’s safer.”
Shalei Aoki, Coalition for a Drug Free Hawai‘i
“As a parent and Ewa Beach resident, I take this intersection every morning. My kids know it’s a dangerous intersection, but now it’s safer.”
Shalei Aoki, Coalition for a Drug Free Hawai‘i
