On Tuesday, July 19, 2011 Representative Mark. K. Takai and Officer Kathleen Capellas from the Pearl City Police Station, led a group of community volunteers who represent the Community Traffic Awareness Program (CTAP) to bring awareness to the problem of speeding on Kaahele Street in Aiea.
“There continues to be a problem with people speeding up and down Kaahele Street at all times of the day and this often results in pedestrian accidents and fatalities,” said Rep. K. Mark Takai (District 34 – Aiea, Pearl City). “We need drivers to obey the speed limit along this street and be aware of pedestrians in the crosswalk.”
CTAP volunteers held signs on Kaahele Street fronting the driveway entrance to the Newtown Recreation Center that reminded motorists to slow down and drive safely.
“The overall purpose of this project is to raise safe driving awareness and it has been successful in other communities to curb the number of motorists speeding on heavily traveled streets,” Takai said.
Kaahele Street is used by both Aiea and Pearl City motorists as they make their way through Aiea and Pearl City neighborhoods.
“This is a heavily traveled road in Aiea, not only by community residents, but also by those using Kaahele Street as a passageway to Pearl City and Pacific Palisades,” Takai said. “The goal of the project is to make drivers slow down and be aware of pedestrians in the crosswalk.”
This was the sixth CTAP sign waving event on Kaahele Street. The first event was conducted on October, 12, 2010 on the one year anniversary of a fatal accident that took the life of a Newtown resident who was walking in the crosswalk on Kaahele Street.
“Drivers have to be mindful of people crossing the street,” said Aiea resident Julia Mayne. “I think it’s wonderful to make people aware that they should not be speeding on Kaahele Street because people are crossing the street too.”
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
CTAP volunteers pose for a group photo on Tuesday, July 19, 2011 fronting the driveway entrance to the Newtown Recreation Center on Kaahele Street in Aiea.
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
CTAP volunteers send their message to motorists on Kaahele Street to slown down and drive safely.
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
HPD Officer Kathleen Capellas waves to motorists traveling up Kaahele Street near the Newtown Recreation Center driveway entrance.
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
Honolulu City Councilman Breene Harimoto (left) who represents Aiea and Pearl City particpated in the CTAP sign waving event on Tuesday, July 19, 2011.