Pali hairpin throws
a curve to drivers

I take the Pali Highway home every night, sometimes late, and sometimes in formation with a co-worker and friend who's one of the best drivers I know.

The other night her little sports car did the hula right at the hairpin turn, wiggling all over the lane. When I caught up at the traffic light, I chided her for "showing off."

But her face was white. "That wasn't me," she said. "The car began to slide. The road's really slick right there. People should watch out for it."

In the last month 12 accidents have been reported at that very spot, too many. Department of Transportation engineers say routine maintenance will clear up the problem as soon as highway workers get to it.

Maybe they should get to it TODAY.

--Burl Burlingame

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