The Hawaii Department of Transportation sent a news release urging drivers to be cautious after a recent string of fatalities on the road. 

On Wednesday, a car fatally hit a bicyclist in Waimanalo, Oahu, and three people died in a head on collision in Lahaina, Maui. The following day, a four vehicle crash on Oahu’s H-1 Freeway killed two people. 

What You Need To Know

  • So far this year, 53 lives have been lost on Hawaii’s roads

  • HDOT reminds drivers to obey the speed limit and all traffic laws, like “Click It or Ticket” and “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over"

  • They also remind people to be thoughtful about the safety of pedestrians and bike riders

The Honolulu Police Department reported that a 68-year-old male bicyclist was traveling eastbound on the shoulder of Kalanianaole Highway near Shriners Beach Club when he crossed the roadway and was hit by a vehicle being driven by a 70-year-old man. The bicyclist who was not wearing a helmet was taken to a nearby hospital in critical condition where he died. HPD does not consider speed, drugs, or alcohol to be factors in this crash. 

According to Maui County officials, the car crash in Lahaina occurred when a 22-year-old man was driving at a high rate of speed on Honoapiilani Highway and crossed left of center, colliding with a car traveling in the opposite direction. The car being driven by the 22-year-old caught on fire, engulfing the vehicle. In the other car were 81-year-old Lui Williams and his 75-year-old passenger, Leni Williams, who died at the scene. The 81-year-old driver was wearing a seatbelt, while his passenger was not. Speed is believed to be a factor in this crash, while the involvement of alcohol and drugs is pending toxicology results.

On the H-1 Freeway near the Kaonohi Street overpass in the Aiea area a 34-year-old man was driving a car eastbound when he rear-ended a car being driven by an 81-year-old woman with an 85-year-old male passenger, according to HPD. The car being driven by the 81-year-old spun out and traveled across multiple lanes of traffic, where it was broadsided by a car being driven by a 22-year-old man, who was traveling eastbound. The 22-year-old motorist then collided with a fourth vehicle driven by a 57-year-old woman. Emergency Medical Services took the 81-year-old and 85-year-old to a nearby hospital, where they both died from their injuries. The 22-year-old was taken to a nearby hospital in serious condition. HPD does not consider speed, drugs, or alcohol to be factors in this crash. 

So far this year, 53 lives have been lost on Hawaii’s roads. 

“We thank all of our Hawaii communities for the 38 days of zero fatalities we enjoyed from June 18 through July 26,” said Hawaii Department of Transportation Director Ed Sniffen in the news release. “It was an unprecedented streak of highway safety for Hawaii. We ask that we all join in to make the streak of zeroes the rule rather than the exception, so no one needs to experience senseless loss.”

HDOT reminds drivers to obey the speed limit and all traffic laws, like “Click It or Ticket” and “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.” They also remind people to be thoughtful about the safety of pedestrians and bike riders. 

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