Enforcement curbs Laaloa speeding

Police officers equipped with radar guns appear to have put a dent in speeding on Laaloa Avenue — at least for now.

A traffic speed measure called a StealthStat clocked 15,173 vehicles on the street between March 16 and 22. The device found that 85 percent of downhill vehicles were traveling at 23 mph or lower following an enforcement and education campaign. Eighty-five percent of uphill traffic was traveling at 28 mph or lower.

Officers ticketed 31 speeders from March 1 to 24 on the avenue, which has a 25 mph limit.

“This result shows a significant reduction of speed from the first survey done,” said Kona Patrol Capt. Randal Ishii.

In speed measures conducted in February, 85 percent of drivers were traveling at 36 miles per hour or lower. The StealthStat was put in place following complaints from residents about the speeding.

“In a way, it’s gotten better,” said Antonio Vargas, who lives along Laaloa. “Right now they’re going slow, but people do fly through here.”

Residents also seemed to support a county plan to add more speed humps to the street, which has a history — like many Kona roads — of chronic speeding problems.

At least two residents said they could support a higher speed limit on the street, especially the unpopulated upper portion.

“I think the speed humps are great, but I also think the speed limit is artificially low,” said Taky Tzimeas, of Hooilina Court, a side street. “This is a major thoroughfare now going mauka to makai.”

Tzimeas pointed to a narrower, more crowded Alii Drive with a speed limit of 30 mph.

Hooilina Court resident Kathy Christiansen said she believes the speed humps are absolutely necessary.

“I’ve probably speeded through there, but I try to slow down out of respect for people who live along the street,” said Christiansen. “I think the people who are driving just need to be respectful of the people who live along that road.”