Every Labor Day the Hawai‘i Police Department (HPD) reminds citizens to safely celebrate the achievements of all workers across Hawai‘i Island during the long holiday weekend.

As part of the department’s ongoing efforts to educate citizens about the dangers of impaired driving, speeding, and all forms of reckless driving, HPD has partnered with the State of Hawaii Department of Transportation, police departments from Kauai, Honolulu, and Maui counties, as well as MADD Hawai‘i in a “No Excuses Hawaii” campaign. Far too many people are injured or killed on our roadways. So far this year on Hawai‘i Island, 727 drivers have been arrested for being under the influence of an intoxicant and 15 people have been killed in traffic-related crashes.

On Thursday, September 2, and Friday, September 3, officers and community members will be conducting sign waiving events in Waimea, Honoka‘a, Kea‘au, Hilo, and Kona to encourage drivers to slow down and to not drive impaired. Friday, September 3, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., the family members of Cassie Ellis and Phoenix Hauanio, who each were killed in separate vehicle crashes, will be attending the sign-waving event on Kuakini Highway in Kona.

If you plan on drinking alcohol or consuming anything that could impair your abilities, please don’t drive. Have a plan to get home with a sober driver, call a cab, rideshare, or a friend or family member. There are many options to keep you and your loved ones safe. Slow down, wear your seatbelt, stay focused on the road, and remember there is absolutely no reason to drive under the influence.

Officers will be conducting additional patrols focusing on impaired driving, speeding, and any dangerous driving behavior across Hawaii Island. When they see a driver they believe to be under the influence they will stop them. If an officer determines a driver is under the influence of an intoxicating substance they will be arrested and taken to jail. This is fair warning, there are “No Excuses Hawaii”.  Drive sober or get pulled over.