After 2025 brought a record number of traffic fatalities in Honolulu, 2026 has been far safer.
The Honolulu Police Department announced this month that after the “100 deadliest days” — the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day, statistically when vehicle crashes and fatalities spike — there have been less than half the number of traffic fatalities in Honolulu than there were during the same period in 2025.
As of Sept. 8, there were 27 recorded traffic fatalities on O‘ahu this year. By Sept. 8 of last year, there had been 62.
During the same period, HPD also reportedly made 444 drunk driving arrests, more than 5,000 citations for speeding, another 1,125 citations for “excessive speeding” (driving more than 30 mph over the speed limit), and set up more than 70 traffic checkpoints throughout the island.
HPD Deputy Chief Brandon Nakasato told Aloha State Daily via email that the safety improvements are a product of HPD’s “Safer Roads, Together” initiative, a partnership between HPD, the Honolulu Department of Transportation, the Department of Transportation Services, and Honolulu Emergency Medical Services.
Among the actions of the Safer Roads, Together project included placing HPD officers in school zones and other high-risk areas as the school year began, directed traffic enforcement in high-concern areas, student safety education events and more.
Nakasato said DUI arrests decreased by 22% per day during the “100 deadliest days” compared to last year while speeding citations dropped by about 19%. Nakasato said this trend is “encouraging as it is a potential indicator of improved driver behavior.”
On the other hand, last year’s speeding enforcement was unusually robust: the then-interim HPD Chief Rade Vanic said last November that HPD made nearly double the speeding arrests than in 2024.
On the other hand, seatbelt and child restraint violations spiked during this summer, by 57% and 69% respectively.
“While the reduction in traffic fatalities is encouraging, HPD does not view the current numbers as a reason to become complacent,” Nakasato said, adding that impaired-driving checkpoints will remain in place through the end of October, while further enforcement and safety education measures to continue through the holidays.
“As the fall semester and football and volleyball seasons get underway and we begin looking toward the holidays, we want people to enjoy time with family and friends while planning ahead,” HPD Chief David Lazar said. “If alcohol is part of your plans, make a safe ride home part of your plans, too.”
HPD urges drivers to not drive if they have been drinking, and instead make other arrangements, such as a rideshare, a designated driver, or other safe transportation. If such options aren’t available, people should instead plan to stay at their location overnight rather than drive drunk.
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