50-plus fatalities on state roads hard lesson to swallow as graduation season commences

Hawai‘i’s roadways have seen more than 50 deaths as of May 13 — a 51% spike compared with the 35 traffic fatalities recorded within the same same period last year.

It’s a tragic statistic to think about but stark reminder to prioritize safety and exercise caution on state and county roadways during such a celebratory season while the Aloha State honors the class of 2025.

Graduation season is underway. Commencements for 46 public high schools are scheduled statewide through the end of May and ceremonies for 10 University of Hawaiʻi campuses take place this weekend.

Hawai‘i Department of Transportation and Hawaiʻi Department of Education hope this special time of year — a milestone for thousands of high school and college students — is marked with celebration filled with tears of joy and happiness rather than despair fraught with tears of sorrow and heartbreak.

Click on the links below to find Hawaiʻi public school and University of Hawaiʻi 2025 graduation/commencement schedules online:

• Hawai‘i Department of Education.
• University of Hawai‘i.

“Graduation is a milestone our students have worked incredibly hard to reach, and we want every celebration to be a joyful one,” Hawaiʻi Superintendent of Schools Keith Hayashi said in a news release. “As families gather and students mark this special time, we urge everyone to make safe choices on the road. Let’s protect these moments by slowing down, staying alert and looking out for one another.”

Of the 53 traffic fatalities so far this year through May 13:

• 17 were pedestrians.
• 14 were motorcyclists or motor scooter drivers/passengers.
• 14 were motor vehicle occupants.
• 5 were bicyclists (including e-bikes).
• 3 were skateboarders.

Preliminary reports indicate:

• Speed was a contributing factor in 13 of the crashes.
• Impairment is suspected in six crashes.
• Failure to yield by a pedestrian or driver or improper lane change was cited in 17 crashes.
• 5 crashes involved reckless driving.
• 13 individuals (pedestrians or skateboarders) were struck and killed while in the road unexpectedly.
• 10 individuals killed were not wearing a seatbelt.
• 11 crashes no helmet use was found.

“One of the best ways we can honor and celebrate our graduates is to prioritize safety on our roadways to prevent more fatalities,” Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation Director Ed Sniffen in the news release. “This includes following the posted speed limit, obeying all traffic laws, not driving impaired and avoiding distractions while on the road, whether you’re driving a vehicle, a pedestrian or riding a bicycle or motorcycle.”

State officials also remind residents to anticipate increased traffic near graduation venues and to use online tools such as GoAkamai, Google Maps and Waze to monitor traffic conditions and plan out their routes ahead of time.

Residents can find the state Department of Transportation roadwork and lane closure lists for each county here.