LIHUE — When bad accidents occur in places where traffic cannot be diverted, the lengthy road closures that result have some motorists fighting mad. Recent multi-car crashes involving fatalities and serious injuries resulted in long road closures — nearly six
LIHUE — When bad accidents occur in places where traffic cannot be diverted, the lengthy road closures that result have some motorists fighting mad.
Recent multi-car crashes involving fatalities and serious injuries resulted in long road closures — nearly six hours in one case — on stretches of Kauai highways. Authorities say the solution is with improving roads and not about responders changing the way they work.
Kauai Chief of Police Darryl Perry said accident scenes are closed and roadways blocked for a reason. It takes time to extract, treat and transport vehicle occupants, and when there is death or serious injury it takes even more time to complete a full investigation.
“This requires complex measurements and interviews and investigators need to preserve the area as a crime scene,” Perry said. “I am aware that it is an inconvenience to a lot of people.”
High impact accidents require a multi-departmental response, Perry said. It is a logistical issue and takes time.
When these cases wind up in civil and criminal court, if the police have not done their job at the scene then the victims and the families of victims suffer, Perry said. The investigation involves sophisticated equipment and they do the work as quickly as possible.
Still, people call and shout profanities at the officers about being stuck in traffic.
“KPD doesn’t make the roads, but we enforce them the best we can,” Perry said.
In a letter to The Garden Island, Perry said KPD has received several mean-spirited complaints related to the six-hour time frame the road was closed to investigate the crash that claimed Sam Mitzel’s life March 4.
The complaints ranged from KPD’s incompetence in conducting the investigation, not being able to go home to have dinner, to missing their favorite T.V. show. Other complaints related to missing flights.
“This was an unusual investigation because of its complexity. It was not an isolated scene. As a result, the processing required an exorbitant amount of time to identify and recover all of the evidence,” Perry wrote. “Additionally, the force of the impact presented logistical challenges that required a multi-departmental response. Even with a rapid response team, coupled with the best trained officers, with technologically advanced equipment the difficulty the officers faced cannot be overstated.”
Other accidents and ensuing road closures have drawn similar ire.
“I have never shared any of these complaints with the victims’ families because I know it would break their hearts to think that people could be so indifferent, calloused, and heartless,” Perry wrote.
As motorists complain of the wait, Perry encourages them to think about the victims, their families and friends. The complaining motorists will arrive at home but others will not.
“For a lay person it is hard to understand what exactly KPD does at a crime scene and for that I can understand the frustration of not being able to get to where you want to go,” he wrote.
“But we must also remember that even though we were inconvenienced, delayed, and may have missed our flight, we will still wake up tomorrow and be able to hug one another, to have another birthday, Christmas, and enjoy other very special moments with our families.”
Department of Transportation spokesperson Caroline Sluyter said that KPD is the lead agency during accidents or criminal investigations on state highways. A thorough investigation is necessary, especially when there is a loss of life.
“Yes, it is an inconvenience for motorists. However, we hope people can understand that someone’s loved one has been critically injured or killed and that the police must do their investigation,” Sluyter said. “The police only have one chance to document the scene and collect evidence before the road is cleared.”
County Prosecuting Attorney Justin Kollar said when an accident becomes a possible crime scene, the police must do all they can to build a solid case.
“Traffic crash investigations require a lot of documentation, measurement, and analysis of roadway evidence,” Kollar said. “This takes special equipment and personnel, that have to be called out to the scene when these tragic events take place. Thorough work by KPD helps us achieve justice for those who are killed or injured by drunk or negligent drivers on our roads.”
Long sections of highway where there is no diversionary route available compounds the lengthy traffic stops for accidents. Old cane roads have provided some possibilities in a very limited capacity.
The first county emergency bypass came in 2004. The cane road between Hanamaulu and Wailua runs across state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and on private property managed by Grove Farm.
Beth Tokioka, county spokeswoman, said the bypass is usually opened only when the main road is impassable for a long duration. There is no lighting and it cannot be used at night.
“In the past we have been able to open a temporary lane on the shoulder along the Wailua Golf Course, which has helped,” Tokioka said. “Luckily, accidents in that corridor have decreased significantly since the speed limit was reduced to 40, and we haven’t even had to consider using that route in quite a long time.”
The county is working on a possible Westside bypass using another unimproved cane road on land managed by Grove Farm in the Kipu area between Puhi and Koloa.
Grove Farm Senior Vice President Michael Tresler said the challenge with emergency roads is that heavy rains often make them hazardous. The county has authority to open the bypass roads but won’t if it presents a safety risk to the public.
“The ranchers only maintain them up to level that they use them,” Tresler said. “Partial asphalt and rock roads always have a lot of damage from rain events and need constant maintenance.”
As the island’s largest land manager, Tresler works with private owners, the state and county on bypass plans. One idea no longer in play would use the Kipu Tunnel road from the old McBryde mill in Koloa. Another still in play would run from Maalo Road in Kapaia to Wailua.
Tresler is optimistic about a proposed Hanamaulu landfill access road that could also serve as a Lihue bypass route. It would emerge at Rapozo crossing close to the Safeway development near Kukui Grove.
“It makes perfect sense,” Tresler said. “We are supportive as it helps put the bypass road on the statewide transportation improvement plan and is eligible for federal funding.”
Tokioka said the Rapozo bypass isn’t really needed as an emergency bypass, when there are four roads — Kaumualii Highway, Kuhio Highway, Kapule Highway and the Puhi bypass — all between Kipu and Hanamaulu that could get drivers around accidents in central Kauai.
The county is conducting a feasibility study on the Rapozo bypass route, which is included in the state’s long-range plan, she said. It offers a landfill route and could improve traffic circulation in Lihue.
“The county isn’t in a position to commit to building it at this point because of the cost,” Tokioka said.
Current HDOT projects to relieve congestion on Kauai highways include the new Lihue Mill Bridge and widening of Kaumualii Highway from Rice Street to Puhi.
“Motorists will be shifted to the new Lihue Mill bridge within the next couple of months,” Sluyter said. “Once the traffic is shifted, the contractor will begin work on the old Lihue Mill Bridge with the entire project anticipated to be completed by March 2015.”
A left turn lane will be added for safety at the Kuhio Highway and Kapaka Road intersection. Reconstruction of Nawiliwili Road from Kaumualii Highway to Kanani Street will start in early 2015.
Long-term projects for late 2015 or later include a turn pocket and shelter lane to protect vehicles entering and departing Kauai Humane Society.
Kuhio Highway will be reconstructed and repaved from milepost 16.8 to milepost 18. Kaumualii Highway will be widened to four lanes from Anonui Street to the tree tunnel.
“As funds become available sections of the roadway will be widened and reconstructed,” Sluyter said.
• Tom LaVenture, staff writer, can be reached at 245-0424 or by emailing tlaventure@thegardenisland.com.
