KAILUA-KONA — Hawaii Police Department officers have issued 2,784 citations and arrested 35 people since mid-August amid stepped-up traffic enforcement efforts on Daniel K. Inouye Highway near Maunakea Access Road.
In the past week alone, officers issued 547 traffic citations and 11 suspects arrested for 18 offenses. The 547 citations were categorized as follows:
• Speeding (209)
• Excessive Speeding (2)
• Seatbelt (46)
• Child Restraint (1)
• Cellular Phone/Electronic device (9)
• Tint (5)
• No Driver’s License (20)
• No Insurance (22)
• Unsafe vehicle (28)
• Other moving violation (22)
• No License plate (26)
• Regulatory (157)
• Parking (0)
The 18 arrested offenses were categorized as follows:
• Driving under the Influence of Intoxicants (5)
• Contempt/Failure to appear warrants (5)
• An open container of alcohol (2)
• Driving with a Revoked License (1)
• Driving without an operator license (2)
• No insurance (2)
• Promoting a dangerous drug (1)
Assigned officers also conducted a non-traffic related arrest on Sept. 13 upon locating a theft suspect within the protest camping area near Maunakea access road, according to police. The theft offense had been previously reported to police occurring two days prior in Kalapana. The suspect was found in the same tent where six Department of Transportation (DOT) plastic barricades had been located on Aug. 30.
In August, police said, officers conducting traffic enforcement and patrols on Daniel K. Inouye Highway came across a verbal altercation among protestors and while addressing that situation observed several barricades in a tent. Subsequently, in that instance, a felony theft case was generated and a suspect interviewed under Advise of Rights, the barricades were recovered and returned to the side of Daniel K. Inouye Highway.
The combined total of the 5-week long Daniel K. Inouye Highway enhanced traffic enforcement efforts by Hawaii Police Department stands at 2784 citations issued and 35 persons arrested for 57 offenses.
The effort will continue for the duration of the ongoing protest situation to promote the safety of motorist and pedestrians alike, police said Thursday