Slow down on the highway through Kilauea

KILAUEA — The state Department of Transportation announced Tuesday that there is a reduction of the speed limit on Kuhio Highway between the highway’s intersections with Pili Road and Kalihiwai Road in Kilauea.

The reduction of the speed limit to 35 miles per hour in both directions within the affected areas will be effective with the installation of the new speed limit signs on Tuesday.

Previously, the speed limit in the impacted areas ranged from 50 mph to 40 mph, depending on the direction of travel.

According to DOT, the speed limit is being lowered to improve safety in the area that includes four unsignalized intersections, two bus stops, one uncontrolled crosswalk, and community park access in the 1.2-mile section of highway.

“HDOT has been actively managing speed in areas we anticipate high rates of vehicles, pedestrians and bicyclists,” the announcement states.

“This improves safety because it increases reaction time for drivers and other users, and improves survivability if a crash does occur,” the HDOT announcement continues.

”By normalizing safe speed limits, right sizing corridors and upgrading infrastructure with features that guide the user to appropriate speeds, such as roundabouts and raised pedestrian crosswalks, we can reduce serious traffic injuries and fatalities while ensuring an efficient system.”

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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 808-245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.