Hawai‘i Police Department
Hilo Community Policing
Lieutenant William Derr
Phone: (808) 961-2350
Media Release
As part of Hawai‘i Police Department’s ongoing efforts to educate citizens about the dangers of impaired driving, speeding, and reckless driving, the Hilo Community Policing Section conducted a sign waiving event on Tuesday, August 9, 2022, in Honomū.
In the wake of recent traffic fatalities on Highway 19, officers, in partnership with community groups and County Council member Heather Kimball, waived signs along the highway near the 12 mile marker to illustrate to passing motorists the importance of safe driving.
So far this year, there have been 23 fatal crashes on islandresulting in 25 traffic fatalities, compared with 13 fatal crashes, resulting in 13 fatalities for the same time last year. This represents a year-over-year increase of 76.9 percent for fatal crashes, and 92.3 percent for fatalities.
Hawai‘i Island police and community groups will hold another sign waving event at the same location on Highway 19 on Tuesday, August 23, from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. The public is encouraged to participate in the August 23rd sign waving, which will emphasize the importance of driving sober and obeying the speed limit.
In addition to community outreach, officers are conducting additional patrols on Highway 19 focusing on impaired driving, speeding, and other dangerous driving behavior.