MEDIA RELEASE

Ronald McDonald has put his foot down at dozens of schools across the state to remind keiki and other pedestrians to be careful at school crossings.

Ronald’s effort was part of McDonald’s Restaurants of Hawaii’s Pedestrian Safety Decal Installation Program, part of the State of Hawaii’s Pedestrian Safety Awareness Month in August, supported by the state Department of Transportation, the state Department of Education and all four county governments.

Thanks to Ronald, his bright red shoeprint safety decals can now be found at Hawaii elementary school sidewalks near crosswalks.

The shoeprints are accompanied by a bold message in red and yellow to “STOP” and “LOOK BOTH WAYS” before crossing the street.

“We hope the decals will grab children’s attention and remind them to be aware of their surroundings before using the crosswalk,” said McDonald’s owner-operator Erlinda Rosario. “Crosswalks, especially ones around schools, can be dangerous because children aren’t always as aware of their surroundings and careful as they should be.”

The safety decals were installed with partner Grace Pacific on school sidewalks near intersections that have been identified as “areas of concern” by the Statewide Pedestrian Master Plan.

Some of the installations are actually reinstallations of Ronald’s shoeprints, which were first installed years ago but have over time faded or worn off.

Participating schools include:

City and County of Honolulu:

* Lanakila Elementary School
* Wilson Elementary School
* Ala Wai Elementary School
* Kahuku Elementary School
* Laie Elementary School

Maui County:

* Kahului Elementary School
* Lihikai Elementary School
* Pomaikai Elementary School
* Kamalii Elementary School
* Wailuku Elementary School

Kauai County:

* Kapaa Elementary School
* King Kaumualii Elementary School
* Koloa Elementary School
* Ele Ele Elementary School
* Kekaha Elementary School

Hawaii County:

* Hilo Union Elementary School
* Kapiolani Elementary School
* Honokaa Elementary School
* Paauilo Elementary and Intermediate School
* Kahakai Elementary School
* Holualoa Elementary School
* Kealakehe Elementary School
* Naalehu Elementary School
* Waikoloa Elementary School
* Waimea Elementary School

McDonald’s Restaurants of Hawaii has 86 restaurants and more than 5,200 employees in Hawaii, Guam and Saipan. In Hawaii alone, the company has 76 restaurants and more than 4,600 employees.

McDonald’s total economic impact on the state, directly and indirectly, is about $285 million in spending and nearly 12,000 jobs in the community. McDonald’s prides itself on offering career opportunities to employees, with most managers staying with the company for more than 18 years.

— Find out more:
www.mcdonalds.com