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In response to the somber tally of roadway fatalities this year, Hawai‘i Island police are teaming up with various agencies and community groups for a poignant initiative titled "Healing Our Highways." This Traffic Safety Vigil aims to remember the lives cut short by traffic accidents and to strongly encourage safer driving habits as we edge closer to the festive season. The event is scheduled to unfold on Tuesday, Oct. 29, from the early hours of 7 a.m. until 11 a.m., with a particular focus on the hours between 8 and 9 a.m., where participants will wave signs at three key locations along Queen Ka‘ahumanu Highway, as detailed on the official Hawai‘i Police Department website. The sign-waving stations—at Waikoloa Rd adjacent to the Blue Hawaiian Helicopter area, the Kīholo Bay Scenic Point Lookout, and the Hualālai / Four Seasons employee parking area—seek to visually capture the attention of drivers and passersby, to carry forward the message of mindful driving. In a ceremonial gathering, Interim Police Chief Reed Mahuna, along with representatives from Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), are slated to give addresses at the West Hawai‘i Civic Center. Interim Chief Mahuna poignantly highlighted the personal toll behind the statistics, saying, "The pain of losing a loved one in a traffic crash never truly fades," in a statement obtained by the Hawai‘i Police Department website. He continues to share, "Every number in our traffic fatality reports represents a person, a father, mother, son, or daughter whose absence leaves an immeasurable void." The timing of "Healing Our Highways" is particularly resonant, chosen precisely as we approach a time of increased roadway activity. The holidays typically see a surge in travel and sometimes, a dangerous uptick in the negligence behind the wheel. The recent tragedy on Daniel K. Inouye Highway further underscores the urgent need for collective action towards safer driving practices. "This vigil was planned weeks before yesterday’s tragic car crash," stated Torey D. Keltner, Traffic Services Section program manager, emphasizing that these plans were in motion well ahead of the latest heartbreak, as reported by the Hawai‘i Police Department website. "Drive with aloha, responsibility, and awareness," is the clear message being communicated to the island's motorists. The Hawai‘i Police Department passionately reminds the community that traffic safety is not an isolated task but a shared kuleana. By pledging to make safer decisions while on the road, residents and visitors alike can collaboratively work to prevent future tragedies, and importantly, honor those who are no longer with us. With 19 lives already claimed this year on Hawai‘i Island's roads, every small step towards responsible driving counts—potentially stopping another family from experiencing an irreversible loss.
