STREETWISE

No simple route to safety
on highway, group finds

An awareness campaign by the
Koolauloa Traffic Safety Coalition
targets carelessness

By Leila Fujimori
Star-Bulletin

For his Boy Scout safety project, Eric Oba sat at a busy four-way stop in his Laie neighborhood and counted 100 cars. Seven went straight through without stopping, 81 only slowed down -- and just 12 came to a complete stop.

The intersection at Naniloa Loop and Kulanui Street, which leads to Brigham Young University, is often congested with residential and school traffic.

Accidents there prompted resident Laurie Preece to organize an awareness campaign this year with the Koolauloa Traffic Safety Coalition.

"I've seen women nursing their babies running that stop sign," said Preece, who until recently lived at the intersection and had her mailbox mowed down twice by careless drivers.

She and other community members, accompanied by police officers, held signs in February to make drivers aware of the need to stop. Preece saw police officers shaking their heads when people failed to stop, even in their presence.

The problem still exists, said Bruce Tuttle, whose wife and three sons were broadsided at the intersection in 1997.

But the solution is not simple, said Art Guerts, a traffic engineer with Hawaii Reserves Inc., a property management subsidiary of the Mormon Church.

"It's a common belief that highway safety is simple, but it's a composite of many programs and efforts," Guerts added. Awareness, voluntary compliance and increased police enforcement are his solutions, as there are no sight-distance or other problems. Guerts would like to see prevention through regular awareness campaigns, and counts the February effort a success because of the participation.

He now is working on a Laie transportation master plan that will identify dangerous intersections, including the Naniloa intersection. Although Kamehameha Highway locations have higher accident rates, this spot has a higher rate than others within the community, he said.

Kaneohe police Sgt. Robert Silva, who participated in the awareness program, said the campaign "makes people remember."

But people forget. Hans Taala, head of security at nearby Brigham Young University-Hawaii, is close enough to see that "people never come to a complete stop," students included. But he added that residents are offenders as well.

He suggested putting up a camera to monitor cars as a deterrent, something BYU has done at its entrance.

"But the real deterrent is to put a policeman out there," Taala said. "Eventually, people will get the message when they have to dig into their pockets to pay fines."

Road Work Roadwork planned this week throughout Oahu: LEEWARD OAHU EWA BEACH Farrington Highway, Piliokoe Bridge to vicinity of Aliinui Drive; Fort Weaver Road from Farrington Highway to Hanakahi Street. MAILI Ehu, Hakeakea and Waapuhi streets. WAIANAE Kaukamana Street to St. John's Road; Kulaaupuni Street from Ohiohi Place to Kaukamana Street; and Farrington Highway at Maliona Street. NORTH OAHU HALEIWA Haleiwa bypass road; and Helemano-Waialua Junction to Haleiwa Beach Park. CENTRAL OAHU KUNIA Kunia and Fort Weaver roads near the Kunia Interchange; Kupuna Loop to Farrington Highway; the H-1 freeway ramps 5, 5-A and 5-B and other Kunia Interchange on-ramps; and H-1, vicinity of Kunia Interchange. WAHIAWA Kilani Avenue from Holoku Place to Ilima Street; and Mala Street. MILILANI Mililani Interchange. WAIPAHU Kahuamoku Place; Kipou Street from Hulahe to Honowai streets; Honowai Street from Kipou to Hoaeae streets; Hoaeae Street from Honowai Street to near the Hoaeae Pumping Station. WAIAWA Waipahu Street to Waiawa Road; and Waiawa Interchange. WAIMALU H-1, Waimalu Viaduct to Halawa Interchange. WAIPIO Farrington Highway, vicinity of Awanui Street to Waipio Point Access Road; Awanui to Leoole streets; and Paiwa to Leoku streets. HONOLULU MOANALUA Moanalua Freeway ramps; vicinity of Ala Kapuna to Ala Napunani; South and North Frontage roads; and Moanalua Road intersection from Kaahumanu Street to Moanalua Loop. KALIHI Makuahine and Kalihi streets; Dillingham Boulevard between Waiakamilo Road and North King Street; Kamanaiki Street from Violet to Laulani streets; and Moani, Laulani, Puolani, Noe and Pahulu streets. LILIHA Liliha Street from North King Street to Vineyard Boulevard. NUUANU Nioilupa Drive; Kaohinani Drive from Kimo to Pelekane drives; Kahawalu Drive between Kaohinani and Niolopua drives; Dowsett Avenue to Hinalo Place; Pali Highway from Country Club Road to the tunnel entrance, including both roads to lookout; and Old Pali Road. KAKAAKO Keawe Street on Ala Moana, South and Queen streets, and Nimitz Highway and River Street to end at Hotel Street; and Coral Street from Ala Moana to Auahi Street. PAUOA Star Road from Kanealii Avenue to end. MAKIKI Round Top and Tantalus drives; and Lewalani Drive from Clio Street to Wilder Avenue. MOILIILI University Avenue and South King Street intersection; and Kahoaloha Lane from Kuilei Lane to South King Street. PALOLO Keanu Street between 8th Avenue and Sierra Drive; and 9th and 10th avenues between Keanu Street and Waialae Avenue. PUNAHOU Spreckels Street. ST. LOUIS HEIGHTS St. Louis Drive between Bertram and Oswald streets. WAIALAE Kealaolu Avenue from Leahala to Waialae avenues. WAIKIKI Kalakaua Avenue; and Ohua to Kuhio avenues. WINDWARD OAHU HAUULA Keala, Kawaipapa and Puuowaa roads; and Waikulama Street. KAILUA Ililani Street from Mokapu Boulevard to Iliwahi Loop; Iliwahi Loop to Ilimano Street; Iliaina Street from Ililani Street to Iliwahi Loop and from Ilihau Street to end; Ilikaa Place; Kalaheo Avenue; and Kainui Drive. WAIMANALO Flamingo and Ahiki streets; Kaaiai Street from Huli to Nakini streets; and Kumuhau Street from Waikupanaha to Mahailua streets. KANEOHE Keaahala Road from Anoi Road to Keaahala Place; and Kahekili Highway at Likelike Highway. EAST OAHU HAWAII KAI Kalanianaole Highway from Nawiliwili Street to Sandy Beach Park entrance.