Speed limit to be reduced to 35 mph on Hawaiʻi Belt Road between Kopilimai, Kaʻieʻie roads in Papaʻikou

The speed limit on Hawai‘i Belt Road (Route 19) between Kopilimai Road and Ka‘ie‘ie Homestead Road in Papaʻikou will be reduced from 45 mph to 35 mph as part of the Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation safety improvement plan.

The new speed limit for both directions of the half-mile stretch will go into effect on June 9, when new signage is put up.

The speed limit is being lowered to provide a smooth transition before entering the Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalaniana‘ole Elementary and Intermediate School area.

The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation will be installing a raised crosswalk in the area starting June 13.

The state has been actively managing speed in areas it anticipates to have high rates of vehicles, pedestrians and bicyclists. This improves safety by increasing reaction time for drivers and other users and improves survivability if a crash does occur.

“By normalizing safe speed limits, right-sizing corridors and upgrading infrastructure with features that guide the user to appropriate speeds such as roundabouts and raised crosswalks, we can reduce serious traffic injuries and fatalities while ensuring an efficient system,” the department said in a news release.

For more on the Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation safety improvement plan, go to: https://hidot.hawaii.gov/highways/safety-map/.