AARP Hearing Center
AARP Livable Communities Map
Waikiki Community Center (2019) Print
2019 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Transportation
└ Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement
└ Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement
Organizers at the Waikiki Community Center at originally planned to beautify Waikiki neighborhoods by painting utility boxes with cultural images. When that project got derailed due to permit challenges, they pivoted to do much needed sidewalk safety and repair -- something local older adults identified as a community need. The Center led a campaign to educate residents of Waikiki on pedestrian safety and worked with volunteers to patch and repair more than 100 damaged areas of sidewalk. Volunteers also beautified the area along sidewalks by refreshing or replacing planter boxes.
Photo Gallery
Image:
Click on a photo to learn more
See More Projects Like This One
Grove, OK
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement
Description: Crossing busy highways in downtown Grove was risky for older adults, discouraging visits to shops and events. The city installed two pedestrian-activated lighted crosswalk signals, an advance warning signal and LED lights to improve safety and complement earlier ADA upgrades. These changes make it easier for residents to walk downtown and join festivals and shopping. One resident said, "Before the lighted crosswalk signals were installed... I stayed away from the downtown area and missed out on a lot of festivals and events. With the added crosswalk signals my friends and I enjoy visiting downtown Grove."
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Torrington, CT
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement
Description: Older adults living near Prospect Street faced unsafe crossings to reach downtown shops and bus stops due to worn markings, poor asphalt and lack of ADA ramps. The project installed ADA-compliant ramps with tactile pads, solar-powered flashing beacons and new signage, replacing deteriorated surfaces for safer passage. These upgrades prompted the city to repave surrounding streets and plan similar improvements near other housing complexes. Residents welcomed the changes, saying they make trips downtown easier and safer.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Washington, DC
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2019
Project Category: Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement
Description: To mark the arrival of a new grocery store to the Bellevue neighborhood, Safe Routes to Healthy Food for Older Adults set out to improve traffic safety, increasing locals' ability to access food. At the annual Taste of Harvest Festival, residents of the Bellevue neighborhood helped paint a vibrant, vegetable-themed crosswalk. The event also invited attendees to paint reusable shopping bags, which gave project organizers an opportunity to chat with residents about their ideas for improving neighborhood safety. Following the success of that even, organizers created a second artistic crosswalk at a mobile farmer's market near a local library branch. While painting took place, project organizers conducted a survey to gather feedback on traffic safety. This led to conversations about residents' frustrations accessing healthy, affordable food. Organizers say they hope the project leads to permanent infrastructure improvements in the future.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Honolulu, HI
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021
Project Category: Community Health and Economic Empowerment
Description: To help residents afford needed services and connect with one another, Kanu Hawaii expanded the local timebank program, an economic exchange based on skill-sharing in which participants barter services. Engaging an experienced timebank coordinator, the organization expanded the Kokua Exchange from three localized timebanks on one island to 14 timebanks statewide. In addition, organizers trained volunteers to become timebank coordinators and developed a member database to track exchanges within local communities.
Honolulu, HI
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: While Hawaii is known for beaches and lush mountains, many urban areas lack accessible green space. To give residents outdoor space, Better Block Hawaii planned, designed and installed two parklets in Honolulu's Kalihi neighborhood. Working with the City of Honolulu to identify areas of need, they installed the first parklet at Richie's Drive Inn, transforming a parking area into a mini park with tables, benches, planters and a mural. Parklets help local businesses extend their storefronts onto the sidewalk and boost revenue by creating cozy, inviting gathering places.
LEARN MORE AND STAY INFORMED
Find articles and resources about making communities more livable for people of all ages
Download or order free publications from AARP Livable Communities
Sign up for the free, weekly, award-winning AARP Livable Communities eNewsletter
Don't see your community listed?
LEARN HOW IT CAN JOIN THE NETWORKConnect with your AARP State Office
AARP has offices in all 50 states as well as in the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
AARP Hawaii State Office
1132 Bishop Street
Suite 1920
Honolulu, HI 96813
United States