Spotlight: Hawaii Department of Transportation, 40th Anniversary Honoree
During MADD Hawaii’s 40th Anniversary Year, we will feature an Honoree each month who was recognized at the anniversary event held at Washington Place on Feb. 12, 2024. MADD Hawaii honored those who have made a significant difference in the fight to prevent drunk and drugged driving and in furthering MADD’s mission in Hawaii.
Category: State Government
Honoree: Hawaii Department of Transportation
At MADD Hawaii’s 40th Anniversary Celebration, the Hawaii State Department of Transportation (HDOT) was recognized for its partnership and steadfast commitment to reducing impaired driving on the state’s roadways. For four decades, MADD Hawaii has been fortunate to work closely with the HDOT, whose support has been instrumental in achieving significant milestones that have saved countless lives and prevented injuries from drunk driving.
From the very beginning, the collaboration between MADD Hawaii and the HDOT has been a driving force behind numerous successful initiatives. One of the most notable contributions has been the “Tie One On for Safety” campaign, a decades-long effort supported by the HDOT to promote awareness and action around impaired driving. Through continued funding, the campaign reached communities statewide, empowering individuals to make responsible decisions and drive sober.
The HDOT’s backing has also been critical in the development and implementation of “Ignition Interlock” laws. In the years leading up to the law’s enactment in 2011, the HDOT played a major role in the task forces and workgroups that helped shape the legislation, ensuring its effectiveness in preventing repeat offenders from driving under the influence.
Karen Kahikina, First Lady Jaime and Governor Josh Green, Ed Sniffen
Another major area of support has been the “DWI Court on Oahu”, a program that has helped countless individuals struggling with impaired driving offenses. Thanks to the HDOT’s financial support, this vital program was able to continue despite challenges related to legislative and judicial disputes over its funding. Without the HDOT’s steadfast assistance, the program would have faced closure.
Recent DWI Court graduation: graduates with Case Manager Louisa Mose, Judge Alvin Nishimura, Arkie Koehl MADD Board member,
Acting Lieutenant Thomas Billins, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Jonathan Tungpalan, and Public Defender Toan Phan
The award honoring the Department of Transportation was presented by Arkie Koehl, a dedicated member of the MADD Hawaii board, to Director Ed Sniffen. Director Sniffen was joined by HDOT colleagues Kari Benes and Karen Kahikina, both of whom have been instrumental in supporting the department’s initiatives. Kari is also a former MADD Hawaii Board Chair and Karen is a regular at MADD sign-waving events. Their leadership, alongside the HDOT’s continued collaboration with MADD Hawaii, has made a profound impact on the safety and well-being of Hawaii’s roadways.
Kari Benes, Karen Kahikina, Ed Sniffen, Arkie Kohl, and
Wanya Ogata, MADD Advisory Board Chair
While the relationship between MADD Hawaii and the HDOT has evolved over the years, with changes in leadership, the partnership has remained a natural and fruitful one. At the core of this collaboration is a shared commitment to saving lives, and the work done together continues to be a powerful example of what can be accomplished when public agencies and community organizations unite for a common cause.
MADD Hawaii currently holds an Underage Drinking Prevention grant with HDOT. In just one year, the Program Specialist has delivered the Power of Youth Program to 883 students across Oahu. At least 1,700 students have pledged to refrain from drinking or using drugs before the age of 21. We are grateful to HDOT for helping to make this outreach happen.
Karen, Wanya, Kari and Ed
MADD Hawaii’s 40th Anniversary Celebration was also a time to acknowledge the other critical partners in traffic safety, such as the Honolulu Police Department, the Honolulu Fire Department, and many other agencies. Their collaboration with MADD Hawaii and the HDOT has been essential in creating a safer environment for all.
As MADD Hawaii looks ahead, the continued partnership with the Department of Transportation remains a cornerstone in the ongoing effort to make Hawaii’s roads safer for everyone. The HDOT’s support has been a vital part of MADD Hawaii’s success, and its leadership will undoubtedly continue to drive progress in the fight against impaired driving.