White Cane Walk supports Hawaii’s blind, low-vision community

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - More than 100 community members gathered in downtown Honolulu Friday for the 34th annual White Cane Walk.

The event, hosted by the Hawaii Department of Human Services Hoopono Services for the Blind, promotes public awareness of the white cane, which supports the independence, mobility and accessibility of Hawaii’s blind and low-vision community.

Community members, advocates and individuals who are blind or have low vision participated in the walk from the Hawaii State Capitol Rotunda to Iolani Palace.

“We just want to show people that’s driving around, pedestrians, just let the blind go out,” said Hoopono Branch Administrator Gavan Abe. “Be independent and just showing what the white cane is for.”

Shellford Cantan has worked as a travel instructor with Hoopono Services for the Blind for nearly 19 years and teaches blind individuals how to cross the street, travel in and out of buildings, find addresses and use public transportation.

Cantan said he wants everyone to know that blind people are still people.

“There’s a lot of bad stereotypes, but we all work, we’re part of the community,” he said. “We want to be included, and we want to just want to be treated like everyone else... to be respected and accepted.”

He added that people will sometimes overhelp.

“If you want to offer assistance and we kindly decline the assistance, just, you know, respect that,” Cantan said. “Oftentimes, people want to just kind of overhelp because they feel sorry for us, but there’s nothing to feel sorry for.”

Gov. Josh Green and acting Lt. Gov. Keith Regan officially proclaimed Oct. 16, 2026, as White Cane Day in Hawaii.