Police assigned to be in place for the Thirty Meter Telescope protester blockade and encampment on Maunakea Access Road have concluded the stepped up traffic enforcement phase on Daniel K. Inouye Highway (Route 200) which began on Aug. 15.
The final efforts of police during this enhanced project covering the weeklong period of Dec. 12-18, resulted in the issuance of an additional 311 traffic citations and four suspects arrested for eight offenses. The 311 citations were categorized as follows:
Speeding (177)
Excessive Speeding (1)
Seat Belt (10)
Child Restraint (3)
Cellular Phone/Electronic Device (2)
Tint (4)
No Driver’s License (9)
No Insurance (11)
Unsafe vehicle (11)
Other moving violation (6)
No License plate (4)
Regulatory (73)
Parking (0)
The 8 arrested offenses were categorized as follows:
Contempt/Failure to appear warrants (7)
Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants (1)
The combined total of the 18-week long Daniel K. Inouye Highway enhanced traffic enforcement efforts by Hawaii Police Department stood at 8,324 citations issued and 78 persons arrested for 143 offenses.
With the development that the Thirty Meter Telescope project will not move equipment or start construction in the near future, the department concluded the enhanced traffic enforcement effort. Police have resumed routine enforcement and presence on Daniel K. Inouye Highway primarily by Traffic Enforcement Unit officers, as was the case before the protest activity began in July.