Hawaiʻi Police Department
Traffic Services Section
Sergeant Robert P. Pauole
Phone: 961-2305
Media Release
Big Island police are informing motorist that police will conduct islandwide DUI checkpoints over the Thanksgiving weekend. The effort is part of a national and statewide campaign called “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.”
To kick off the Thanksgiving weekend enforcement efforts on the Big Island, officers from the Traffic Enforcement Unit—supported by staff from the Traffic Services Section and Mothers Against Drunk Driving—conducted a DUI checkpoint Monday (November 21) in Hilo. They passed out literature reminding motorists of the hazards of drinking and driving.
The Hawaiʻi Police Department also wants to remind motorist that for the third year in a row, Hilo and Kailua-Kona drinking establishments are distributing coupons during the Holiday Season for free taxi rides so customers won’t drink and drive. The free coupons are available November 24 though January 2.
The Hawaiʻi County Office of the Mayor, the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney, the Impaired Driving Task Force, the Police Department, the Department of Liquor Control and the Mass Transit Agency have teamed up to provide 750 coupons, which the Department of Liquor Control is passing out to bars and nightclubs.
Nine taxi companies participate in the free coupon program. In Hilo, they are Ace One Taxi, Aliʻi Taxi, Bay City Taxi, Bobby Taxi, Hot Lava Taxi, Marthysha’s Taxi and Percy’s Taxi; in Kona, J & A Taxi and Mr. K’s Taxi.
The participating establishments are:
- East Hawaiʻi—100% Moxie, Anna’s Lounge, Bamboo Garden, Club Rainbow, Club Rose, Coqui’s Hideaway, Cronies, Golden Room, Hale Inu, Hilo Burger Joint, Hilo Town Tavern, Karma, Kim’s Karaoke, Koreana II, Margarita Village, Morning Dew, Palms by the Bay, Restaurant Encore and Stephanie’s.
- West Hawaiʻi—Huggo’s, Humpy’s, KBXtreme, Kokonutz, Kona Town Tavern, Lulu’s, My Bar, Oceans Sports Bar & Grill, Okolemaluna, Other Side–Rockstarz, Remixx, Rose’s, Sam Choy’s, Splasher’s, Sunflower, Teru’s II and The Mask.
Despite the giveaway program, individuals who plan to drink at a bar over the holiday weekend should not count on getting a free coupon. They should make other arrangements in case the bar they plan to visit runs out of coupons.
The Hawaiʻi Police Department wishes everyone a happy and safe Thanksgiving weekend.
