Hawai‘i County looking to governor for aid in improving traffic safety after series of deadly crashes

A series of fatal crashes on Big Island roadways has Hawai‘i County Mayor Kimo Alameda seeking help from the state to improve traffic safety.

As of Tuesday, May 19, there have been 13 traffic fatalities in 2026, including eight in the past two weeks. That includes two recent double fatalities on Daniel K. Inouye Highway, also known as Saddle Road.

“This is a public safety emergency for our community,” Alameda said. “We are asking the state to work with the county on urgent messaging, enforcement, engineering, and education strategies to prevent more lives from being lost on Saddle Road and other highways.”

In a letter to Gov. Josh Green, Alameda requested:

• Installation of solar-powered radar signs to encourage speed compliance.
• Posting of signage near known crash hotspots to discourage risky passing maneuvers.
• Inspections, and if necessary, repairs to drainage and pavement conditions at mile markers 13-16 and 44-47 on Daniel K. Inouye Highway to reduce the risk of hydroplaning.
• Addition of signs encouraging slower vehicles to keep to the right lane and marked turnouts for slower vehicles.
• Installation of rumble strips and reflective delineators in high-risk stretches of DKI Highway until permanent improvements can be made.

Alameda emphasized that the county is seeking a unified, multi-agency approach to reduce traffic fatalities, and stands ready to provide support with increased police presence, community education and identification of priority areas.

In a video message recorded with Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen, Police Chief Reed Mahuna, and Temporary Fire Chief Daniel Volpe, Alameda reminds residents that head-on collisions are the most preventable types of crashes.

“Most happen because someone is rushing, trying to overtake when it is not safe,” added Police Chief Reed Mahuna. “Oncoming traffic, blind curves, wet roads, that split second isn’t worth a life.”