Speeding Remedies Are In The Works For Mokulele Drive

As the Pikoiloa neighborhood is an active and busy area feeding into Mokulele Drive, residents and lawmakers are taking the initiative of addressing the speeding issue before tragedy strikes.

To curb speeding on that Kaneohe roadway, state Sen. Jill Tokuda is working with the city Department of Transportation Services on a few different ideas to deter heavy-footed drivers. And after getting feedback from door-to-door conversations with residents, she said, it seems the speeding issue is now a legitimate safety concern.

“Many of the residents want to see something done. They are concerned about the safety of their families and their neighbors and are looking to us to identify and implement solutions,” Tokuda said. “We will continue to work with City Councilman (Ikaika) Anderson and the Department of Transportation Services to make our roads safer.”

The visual narrowing of the lanes – through demarcating a shoulder or parking lane on either side of Mokulele – is a possibility. “The benefit of this action is that it does not remove street parking,” she explained, “but it has been found that you can deter speeding by creating a narrowing effect by placing markings on the roadway.”

A four-way stop at Namoku Street and Mokulele Drive is another idea. DTS also is passing along results of its speed study to the Honolulu Police Department.

“Residents may notice driver feedback trailers along Namoku or Mokulele,” Tokuda added, “to let motorists know how fast they are going. Enforcement campaigns may also be planned utilizing the information gathered.”