Sign Waving Students aim to Slow Traffic at Lihikai

By Wendy Osher

More than 50 Lihikai Elementary School students and teachers waved signs in front of the Kahului campus this morning.  The event served as a reminder to motorists to slow down and watch for pedestrians.

The sign waving campaign was conducted before the start of school along South Papa Avenue, during the busy morning rush hour when traffic congestion peaks and pedestrian concerns are heightened.

Students joined members of the Maui Police Department in holding signs sending a message to drivers to pay attention while driving, avoid distractions, heed speed limits, and watch for students crossing the street.

The fine for speeding in a school zone is $297, while the fine for jaywalking is $130 in Maui County.

The sign waving event was part of a Hot Spots program organized by Farmers Insurance Hawaii.  Now in its 9th year, the program was established in partnership with law enforcement to address the growing number of traffic fatalities caused by speeding as well as pedestrian safety.

Lihikai Elementary School is the third Maui location selected for the Farmers Insurance Hot Spots program. Students from Wailuku Elementary are shown in the above photo from last year's Hot Spots stop. Photo courtesy, Farmers Insurance Hawaii.

Previous campaigns included sign waving at Kahului Elementary School a few years ago, and Wailuku Elementary last year.  In each event, keiki are joined by officers from the Maui Police Department and employees with Farmers Insurance Hawaii.

Today’s event marked the kick-off of Lihikai’s upcoming safety month in May, which includes a DARE celebration, police station visit and JPO picnic.