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Molohai residents urge DHHL to deliver traffic‑calming plan after years of crashes
Summary
Residents of the Malu'ohai homestead described a series of at least 11 crashes on Coyao Avenue and said an Austin Tsutsumi & Associates traffic plan drafted in 2023 was never provided to the community; they asked DHHL to implement traffic‑calming measures and noted the association has paid for signage.
Homilani Shadel, a beneficiary and longtime leader in the Malu'ohai Residents Association, asked the commission to act after years of recurring crashes near homes on Coyao Avenue. She said the community was presented with a draft traffic‑calming plan by consultants Austin Tsutsumi & Associates in September 2023 but has not received the updated plan. "Today, we have not received the updated traffic plan," she told commissioners, and said speed and inattention have driven the repeated incidents.
Resident Carolina Kao described a 10/18/2025 crash in which a moped hit the back fence of her home at about 10:35 p.m., resulting in about $1,000 in out‑of‑pocket insurance deductibles and adding to a local tally she and others said totals 11 significant accidents in recent years. Kao warned that her home's back wall sits only 83 inches from the fence and that family living spaces are adjacent to the impact zone.
Commissioner Ornelas asked whether the road is owned by DHHL (answer: DHHL) or by the City & County (not yet turned over) and whether traffic counts or studies had been done. Testifiers said Austin Tsutsumi & Associates conducted a process, provided recommendations, and that the association reviewed and responded to consultant recommendations. Homilani also said the association purchased signs costing more than $7,000 from HCBA funds to help mitigate the risk while awaiting departmental action.
Why it matters: residents said the proximity of homes to the roadway poses a continuing hazard and seek low‑cost and engineered devices (signage, speed tables, raised crosswalks or other calming measures) to reduce crashes and prevent a catastrophic injury.
Next steps: the commission acknowledged the testimony and a commissioner said staff would follow up; testifiers asked DHHL to deliver the outstanding updated plan and to work with city and county staff toward implementation.
