Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Volunteer Spotlight : Aaron Kosuga.

Aaron Kosuga still has his first bicycle. Ask Aaron about bicycles and he will tell tales of all his bicycles, from a Huffy Mudslinger to GT Pro Performer and how exactly he acquired them.

Aaron’s journey to Kalihi began when he met a girl which became his “gateway into Kalihi.” He started riding bicycles with the Gorospe brothers and was introduced to the KVIBE program. Two years later Aaron met volunteer Larry Victorino at the warehouse and was prompted to become a volunteer himself.

These days Aaron may be found at KVIBE wrenching on numerous complicated projects. Aaron has taken it upon himself to wrench and hammer projects to favorable outcomes. When Aaron is not helping the youth of KVIBE he is seen riding his custom low-rider cruiser bicycle. Aaron is proud of his low-rider cruiser bicycle as it was “a year in the making.”

Patience and persistent, Aaron’s vision of KVIBE is to make it “a place - no matter what age a person is - to walk out with bicycle knowledge.” Aaron views KVIBE as place for friends and community to catch up and work on bicycles together. If it finds you well, please come visit Aaron at KVIBE.

Monday, October 17, 2011

The Persephone Myth.

More girls should ride bicycles. Whomever began the notion that cycling is a boy’s sport is sorely misinformed. As Jackson Stewart - coordinator of USA Cycling’s Women’s Development Program - states: “the truth is, men just don’t pay attention to women’s racing...but once you’re part of it you see hard they (women) ride, and your perspective changes in a hurry.”

KVIBE strongly encourages girls to build and ride bicycles. With a warehouse of various parts and children's frames, any girl that wants to ride a bicycle shall. As evidenced by the Rain family: Valerie (age 11), Vaivesst (age 10), Bernartita (age 9), and Jaleina (age 10) all girls whom want to learn about bicycles will indeed.

The last week KVIBE has been actively working behind the scenes. KVIBE soft-launched a fleet of pink Kokua Kalihi Valley (KKV) staff bicycles on October 12, 2011. Built in-house, the fleet will hopefully encourage KKV staff to use bicycles in Kalihi rather then automobiles. Additionally, KVIBE welcomed new adult volunteer Sergio Garzon. Sergio officially began as a volunteer on October 15, 2011.

This week KVIBE will be open during normal operational hours. If it finds anyone well, please drop by with donations to support youth bicycling in Kalihi and beyond. Ride a Bicycle.

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Bigger Build With Horns.

“It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best, since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them. Thus you remember them as they actually are, while in a motor car only a high hill impresses you, and you have no such accurate remembrance of country you have driven through as you gain by riding a bicycle.” - Ernest Hemingway

KVIBE will be closed on October 12, 2011. The warehouse will reopen on Friday shortly after 1PM. Use the brief absence of KVIBE to go out and ride a bicycle. Ride your bicycle deep into a valley, venture further then before and discover new ground.

Additionally, the Diamond Head/Kapahulu/St. Louis Neighborhood Board meeting will be held on Thursday, October 13, 2011 at 7PM. The Ala Wai Club House (404 Kapahulu Avenue) will host the meeting and anyone concerned about the upcoming repave of Waialae Avenue should attend. Please consider signing an online petition in support.

Ride Hard and Earn the Downhill.

Monday, October 3, 2011

The Mahalo of Melee.


“Gratitude is something of which none of us can give too much. For on the smiles, the thanks we give, our little gestures of appreciation, our neighbors build their philosophy of life.” - A. J. Cronin.

A Kalihi Melee occurred on October 1, 2011 at KVIBE. It was a scorching Saturday in a parking lot filled with bicycles and activity. Smoothies were slung and bicycles were distributed to overjoyed youth. The Melee was a day for Kokua Kalihi Valley (KKV) and KVIBE to give back to the community of Kalihi. And it was grand.

A Kalihi Melee would not have existed without the generous help from:

Jesse Lipman, KKV’s Roots Food Coordinator
Larry Victorino and Aaron Kosuga, KVIBE Volunteers
Joreen Range, KKV Maintenance Supervisor
Gracie Suaglar, KKV’s Family Strengthening Specialist
Ho'oulu 'Aina Nature Preserve Program
Megan Inada, KKV’s Tobacco Cessation
Honolulu Police Department - HPD Bike Fleet
the crew of HNL Bike Polo
Cycle Manoa - UH Manoa’s Bicycle Education Program

Prize Sponsorships were received from:
BMX Hawaii
The Kickstand
McCully Bicycle and Sporting Goods
Hardway Bikes
Limon Productions

Additionally Appreciation should be forwarded to:
KJ and Cuyler Yogi of BikeFactory
Jonathon Lott
Ralph Cady
Jared Christenot
Tyler Kueffner
Matthew Acosta and Tino Espiritu of CambioCore
Ilana Nimz
Evan Loney

thank y’all. ride a bicycle.
new KVIBE logo designed by Jorge Portillo.