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The state of ±á²¹·É²¹¾±Ê»¾± is looking to get into the traffic patrol business.

Unlike other states, ±á²¹·É²¹¾±Ê»¾± generally leaves it to the counties to almost exclusively enforce traffic laws. But now lawmakers are being asked to authorize a new traffic enforcement unit staffed with two dozen state deputy sheriffs to help patrol Oahu highways and enforce regulations on commercial vehicles.

The Honolulu Police Department, which issues about 400,000 traffic citations annually, opposes the proposal, a spokesperson said before declining to elaborate.

The state Department of Law Enforcement wants to use more than $8.3 million in federal funding over the next two years to finance the new traffic unit, which would include two full-time investigators. That money would also cover the cost of equipment and new vehicles.

Traditionally ±á²¹·É²¹¾±Ê»¾± sheriff’s deputies have conducted only limited traffic enforcement in areas where they already operate, such as at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, but the state Department of Transportation wants to expand those efforts, said Department of Law Enforcement Director Jordan Lowe.

Lowe told the Senate Ways and Means Committee the new unit would target speeding and intoxicated motorists and assist with inspections of commercial vehicles. He said the proposal for the unit originated with the state transportation department.

There were 102 traffic deaths in Hawaii in 2024, . Those traffic deaths included 37 pedestrians and six bicyclists.

That trend wasn’t reflected on OÊ»ahu roads, which saw a slight dip in fatal collisions in 2024.

The island has seen an annual average of 50 fatal collisions — about one per week — for the last six years, Honolulu Police Department data shows.

But the total number of collisions increased by 35% from 2019 to 2023, and the number of collisions involving critical injuries doubled over the same period.

Crash reports on 24 of the deaths last year listed speeding as the "primary contributing factor," according to police. Reports for another 11 fatal crashes cited suspected impairment and additional reckless behaviors such as not wearing a helmet and fleeing the scene of a crash.

The state transportation department pledged to continue efforts such as installing speed humps, raised crosswalks and automated red-light enforcement cameras to try to reduce speeding and deaths on Hawaii roadways. The DOT also plans to authorized by the Legislature last year.

The proposed new traffic enforcement section staffed with sheriff's deputies would supplement the HPD's efforts, and Lowe said his understanding is police were "in agreement to it because they said they were so short in staffing."

But HPD spokesperson Michelle Yu said in a written statement that "HPD does not support creation of a new unit."

She said Honolulu Police Chief Joe Logan "does not support the DLE conducting traffic enforcement on our roads and highways.  However, he is open to meeting with stakeholders to discuss the use of technology, such as cameras, and how the DLE can assist with that technology."

She did not explain why the department is opposed to the proposed traffic enforcement section.

The total caseload of traffic and parking cases handled in Oʻahu’s District Court in fiscal year 2022-23 — the most recent number available — was the lowest in six years.

During that period, 357,462 cases were in the system, a drop of 58,000 from the previous fiscal year, and nearly 9,000 below the caseloads in fiscal year 2019-20, when courts were closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Rick Collins, director of the , said the proposal for a state highway enforcement unit "is a great opportunity, and it's good to see our state DOT getting behind it and getting creative around the resources."

Hawai'i has the seventh-highest per capita death rate from impaired driving in the nation, Collins said. Sheriff's deputies in the traffic enforcement section could be particularly effective if they staff motorist checkpoints, he said, because those have a strong deterrent effect on intoxicated driving.

Collins said his organization will once again be lobbying the Legislature this year to lower the allowable blood alcohol concentration for motorists in ±á²¹·É²¹¾±Ê»¾± from the current 0.08% to 0.05%.

Duplicating Efforts?

Inspection of large commercial vehicles would also be a focus of the new state enforcement team.

Lowe said the transportation department has staff qualified to inspect commercial trucks, but they have no law enforcement authority.

"What DOT is envisioning is that we will have deputies with their inspectors working some of the stations," and also stopping trucks when necessary, he said.

Plans for the new traffic unit were questioned by Sen. Donna Kim, who said the deputies would be duplicating the work of city police.

"Isn't it better that they get the amount of people that they need instead of us creating another level, with the cars and insurance and everything else?" she asked.

Lowe replied the deputies already do limited drunk driving checks and other enforcement near the airport and in other areas where they regularly operate.

"We actually have statewide jurisdiction concurrent with county jurisdiction," he said.

"I understand, but you're asking us for millions to shore it up, to duplicate what the police are doing," Kim said.

Lowe said the transportation department is expected to transfer federal funding to the Department of Law Enforcement to cover the cost of the new unit.

"So, not one state dollar?" Kim asked. She also wondered aloud if Lowe might come back later to ask for state money if the federal funding dries up.

State Transportation Director Ed Sniffen did not respond to requests for an interview Tuesday or Wednesday.