Councilmember Greggor Ilagan on the Hele On bus, which now services Hawaiian Paradise Park.

by The Office of Councilmember Greggor Ilagan

A long awaited answer to public transportation needs was delivered April Fool’s Day with a new Hawaiian Paradise Park bus route. “All this time I had to walk… hitch a ride, and that’s pretty dangerous, but what else can you do? So this [new bus route] is good,” said bus rider Jeanne Seimer.

Seimer was one of eight residents who utilized the bus on its maiden trip through HPP at 6:25 a.m. Monday April 1. Council Member Greggor Ilagan of District 4 cheerfully served donuts to early morning riders and discussed the journey, and the people it took to get the bus route in place, with HPP Owners Association President, June Conant. “Once Greggor got into office, he bent some elbows and finally got it going,” said Conant.

“We had a lot of great people working together to get this bus into HPP. Past and present efforts have all culminated today to provide sorely needed transportation to the people in this community. This bus route is a reality thanks to Tiffany Kai, Acting Administrator of Hawai’i County Mass Transit, Mayor Billy Kenoi, the HPP Owners Association and the people of Puna,” said Council Member Ilagan.

For maps and schedule information, visit the Hawai’i County Mass Transit website at www.heleonbus.org. For concerns and questions call Councilman Ilagan’s office at 965-2712, or E-mail at gilagan@hawaiicounty.gov.