Mahalo for his support of Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Enjoy this free story!
Preliminary data from the state Department of Transportation shows a significant increase in traffic-related deaths in Hawaii and Kauai counties from January through most of July compared to the same time in 2021.
Statistics show that 25 traffic deaths occurred from January 1 to July 27, 2022 in Hawaii County, compared to 13 deaths at the same time in 2021. Twenty-six traffic deaths were reported in the county in the whole of 2021.
On Monday, a 15-year-old boy known as Zion Hao-Kallio from Ocean View was killed in a car crash in Pepeekeo.
Police said a 1996 Honda Civic driven by a 20-year-old man was driving south on the Mamalawa Expressway with two passengers, including Howe Kallio, when it lost control of the wet road and veered into the northern lane and collided with a 2002 Chevrolet pickup truck.
The driver and Hao-Kallio, the rear passenger, were thrown from the car upon impact. Police said the young man was taken to Hilo Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead.
A Honda driver sustained internal injuries, and a 16-year-old front-seat passenger, who police said was wearing a seat belt at the time of the collision, sustained minor injuries.
The 40-year-old Chevrolet driver sustained a broken right heel and other injuries.
Police said speed was believed to be a factor in the collision. East Hawaii’s Traffic Enforcement Unit has launched a negligent homicide investigation.
Tori Keltner, program manager for the Hawaii Police Department’s Division of Traffic Services, said there is no single factor identified as a cause of the county’s increase in traffic deaths so far this year.
In general, police see more dangerous driving behaviors that are not only dangerous, but illegal, Keltner said.
“We need to discipline these behaviours,” he added. “Police alone cannot make it 100% better. …Society must do its part.”
Motorists must follow the speed limit, not be distracted, wear seat belts and not impede driving.
“Lots of people rush all the time,” Keltner said. “There is no excuse for driving fast and not being careful while driving.”
People get distracted by using a mobile phone or watching movies on electronic devices. “Keep your eyes on the road and focus on driving,” he added.
Keltner said the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has also identified seat belts as the best way for people to stay safe.
In Kauai County, statistics show six traffic-related deaths from January 1 to July 27, 2022, compared to zero at the same time in 2021. Two traffic deaths were reported in the county in the whole of 2021.
The latest death occurred on Kauai in the early morning hours of July 13. Police said 21-year-old Dalton Burke of Wailowa died in a single-car crash after a 1997 Toyota Tacoma he was working in collided with a bridge on Kwamo Road.
An initial police report indicated that alcohol may have been a factor in the accident.
In Maui County, the data showed 13 traffic-related deaths from January 1 to July 27, 2022, compared to 10 at the same time in 2021. 16 traffic-related deaths occurred in the county in all of 2021.
In the city and county of Honolulu, 26 traffic deaths occurred from January 1 through July 27, 2022, compared to 29 at the same time last year. Fifty traffic deaths occurred in the city in 2021.
According to preliminary data from the Department of Transportation, 70 traffic deaths occurred from January 1 to July 27, 2022, statewide, compared to 52 at the same time in 2021. 94 deaths occurred statewide in the whole of 2021.