Honolulu is working towards safer streets, but needs everyone to help
HONOLULU (KHON2) — The city is making improvements for its long-term goal of 'safer streets,' but says all their work will not matter if no one is paying attention.
Oahu's traffic deaths in 2025 have doubled compared to the same time last year
On June 9 in Mililani, Police reported that an 86-year-old woman died after being hit by a truck on Kipapa Drive in front of the Mililani Shopping Center. Police say the woman was not in a crosswalk.
This marks the 33rd person to die on Oahu's roads this year, which is more than double the amount from the same time last year.
'I think the conversation that comes up when these accidents happen is important, right,' said Matt Weyer, Honolulu city councilmember. 'Because it elevates the issue, let's the community recognize it, and hopefully can motivate a government to be more responsive.'
The city says it's trying. Honolulu police say they have been using targeted patrols from the beginning of the year.
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The City's Department of Transportation Services, along with several state partners, have been working on Vision Zero, a resolution passed by the Honolulu City Council for making safety improvements on our roads for the ultimate goal of zero traffic deaths by the year 2040.
'On our side we're trying to, you know, create better zones for sidewalks and for vehicles to be able to see ahead, behind,' said Germaine Salim, Honolulu Department of Transportation Services Complete Streets planner. 'We're trying to improve our intersections that we're working with our state partners at the Department of Transportation.'
Vision Zero includes things like installing a rapid flash beacon on School Street for pedestrians. DTS says 40% of the traffic deaths this year were pedestrians, most of them being kupuna.
'It's important that drivers be aware and the pedestrians be aware, because kupuna shouldn't have to cross their fingers to cross the street,' said Craig Gima, AARP Hawaii. 'They have, everybody needs to contribute to be safe.'
'If we're making things safer, one intersection, one sidewalk at a time, it's still going to improve everybody's lives,' said Salim.
Check out more news from around Hawaii
Some safety tips from officials say to leave a few minutes early so you don't have to rush. Expect traffic, even if it's a weekend or a holiday, as there is always something going on nowadays. You can also check the Go Akamai website before you leave to see road conditions.
'It's really hard for everybody to be on enforcement all the time,' said Salim. 'There's a lot of personal responsibility involved.'
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