Big Island roads saw a significant decrease in traffic fatalities in 2023 compared to 2022, from 34 official traffic deaths to 16, a 53% drop.
In its unofficial count, the Tribune-Herald recorded 18 vehicle- or road-related deaths for the year. Of those, one was not counted as official because it occurred on private property, and another was a bicycle crash without a motor vehicle involved. Those two are marked on the list of fatalities below with an asterisk.
There also were two fatalities in which the Hawaii Police Department noted there was the possibility the driver suffered from a medical condition that caused the crash, both men in their mid- to late-70s. Those fatalities are marked on the list with a plus sign.
According to Torey Keltner, program manager for HPD’s Traffic Services Section, Hawaii County had a 2.55% decrease in arrests for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs in 2023 from the previous year.
“In 2022, there were 979 and in 2023 there were 954,” Keltner said, referring to DUI arrests. “However, HPD performed approximately 18% more (DUI)) enforcement operations in 2023 than in 2022.
“The enforcement efforts are one important piece of lowering the high number of traffic fatalities of 34 in 2022 to 16 in 2023. The overall goal is to prevent people from being killed in traffic-related incidents, and we continue to seek out other avenues to keep everyone safe.”
By far, the highest number of DUI arrests, 357, took place in the Kona police district — which includes the administrative districts of North Kona and South Kona.
Puna, which generally has had the third-highest amount of DUI arrests, in 2023 became the district where the second-highest number of DUI arrests occurred, edging out South Hilo 231 to 229.
No other district reached triple-digits in DUI arrests in 2023. DUI arrests elsewhere on the island include: South Kohala, 84; North Kohala, 34; Hamakua and Ka‘u, eight each; and North Hilo, three.
”In addition (to DUI enforcement), HPD performed approximately 11% more distracted driving, 30% more seat belt and 32% more speed enforcement operations,” Keltner said about 2023, as opposed to 2022. “These operations are conducted in areas where violations are identified through officers’ observations, the review of crash locations, and by community complaints of reckless driving.
“Each month Hawaii Police Department district commanders have a review of the traffic-related incidents conducted and develop plans to encourage safer driving habits through enforcement, media messaging, and participation and support of community safety events.”
Major collisions — defined as crashes in which $3,000 or more in damage is sustained by vehicles — are down, as well, but not significantly so. There were 843 major collisions last year compared to 846 during the same period in 2022, a decrease of 0.35%.
Here is the Tribune-Herald’s unofficial list of vehicle- and/or road-related fatalities in 2023, as compiled from information provided by HPD:
1. Robert Cawley, 77, of Honokaa, Kalaniai Road, Honokaa, Jan. 6. (perhaps medical condition) +
2. Jessica Santos, 42, of Pahoa, Aulii Street, Pahoa, Jan. 14 (Polaris UTV rollover)
3. John Venrick, 58, of Mountain View, Highway 130, Keaau, Jan. 14. (pedestrian)
4. Leland James, 37, of Keaau, Waikoloa Road and Queen Kaahumanu Highway, Feb. 5 (driver)
5. Graham R. Shure, 27, of Keaau, Waikoloa Road and Queen Kaahumanu Highway, Feb. 5 (passenger)
6. John Crouse, 41, of Hilo, Highway 137, Pahoa, Feb. 26.
7. Matthew McHugh, 65, of Kailua-Kona, Hina Lani St. near Queen Kaahumanu Highway, Kailua-Kona, March 7.
8. Lara Chun, 62, of Keaau, Highway 130 near Paradise Drive, Keaau, Apr. 20. (pedestrian)
9. Justin Rupert, 42, of Volcano, Highway 11 at Glenwood Park, Glenwood, May 14. (pedestrian)
10. Stuart S. Dunn, 82, of Kailua-Kona, Hina Lani Street, Kailua-Kona (bicycle crash)*
11. David Howard McElhaney, 72, of Kailua-Kona, Kaiminani Drive and Kahilihili Street, Kailua-Kona, June 18. (moped crash)
12. Theodor Lai Sr,. 88, of Honaunau, parking lot of Kealakekua Ranch Center, Kona. Aug. 6. (pedestrian, on private property)*
13. Koa Kane Clark, 30, of Waikoloa, Highway 11 at Manuka Recreational State Park, Ka‘u, Aug. 13.
14. Michael Wilson, 45, of Mountain View, Kilauea Avenue near Puainako Street, Hilo, Sept. 2. (motorcyclist)
15. Charles Kanoho, 76, of Hilo, Kapiolani and West Kawili streets, Hilo, Sept. 13. (perhaps medical condition) +
16. Brian Smith, 59, of Mountain View, Railroad Avenue near Lanikaula Street, Hilo, Sept. 29.
17. Barbara Klein, 79, of Hilo, Akolea Road near Waianuenue Avenue, Hilo, Oct. 3 (recumbent tricyclist)
18. Annemarie Salvatore, 33, of Naalehu, Highway 11 near Manuka Recreational Park, South Kona, Nov. 12.
Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.