Drivers who frequent Kuakini Highway in Kona will need to ease off the gas pedal soon, as the Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation (HDOT) has made plans to lower the speed limit. The stretch of road in question, from mile markers 113.6 to 117.1, will see a drop from 55 mph to 45 mph. According to an announcement by HDOT, the updated signs will be installed and the new speed limit will be enacted 30 days from their announcement.
The decision to lower the speed limit is part of a larger initiative to ensure safer travel through the corridor, which is situated between Old Mamalahoa Highway and Kamehameha III Road. This specific area includes community-focused sites such as Harold H. Higashihara Park, the Kamakana Playground, as well as a place of worship and a scenic lookout point. The reduction is aimed at protecting the variety of road users, from keiki playing in the park to kūpuna stopping by the church, making for a safer neighborly environment.
HDOT's choice reflects a commitment to road safety and is influenced by the presence of such communal locations. "The purpose of the speed reduction is to provide a manageable, safe and consistent speed limit for this section of Hawaiʻi Belt Road (Route 11)," the HDOT news release states. The department has indicated that the changes will apply to both directions of travel on the affected segment.
Beyond just signage, HDOT employs various tactics for streamlining traffic and increasing safety, such as creating roundabouts and elevated pedestrian crossings. The overarching goal, as highlighted by the transportation department, is not only to curb serious injuries and fatalities on the road, but to also foster an efficient transportation system. Motorists can expect the transition to the slower pace to be in full swing once the new signs are up.
