{"id":2290,"date":"2024-11-25T23:27:20","date_gmt":"2024-11-25T23:27:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/madd.org\/hawaii\/?p=2290"},"modified":"2024-12-10T00:43:08","modified_gmt":"2024-12-10T00:43:08","slug":"40th-spotlight-hawaii-department-of-transportation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/madd.org\/hawaii\/40th-spotlight-hawaii-department-of-transportation\/","title":{"rendered":"Spotlight: Hawaii Department of Transportation, 40th Anniversary Honoree"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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\"\"During MADD Hawaii\u2019s 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.<\/span><\/p>

Category: State Government<\/strong>
Honoree: Hawaii Department of Transportation<\/strong>

\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0At 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\u2019s 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.
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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 \u201cTie One On for Safety\u201d 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.
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The HDOT\u2019s backing has also been critical in the development and implementation of \u201cIgnition Interlock\u201d 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.<\/p>

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Karen Kahikina, First Lady Jaime and Governor Josh Green, Ed Sniffen<\/em><\/p>

Another major area of support has been the \u201cDWI Court on Oahu\u201d, 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\u2019s steadfast assistance, the program would have faced closure.<\/p>

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Recent DWI Court graduation: graduates with Case Manager Louisa Mose, Judge Alvin Nishimura, Arkie Koehl MADD Board member,
Acting Lieutenant Thomas\u00a0Billins, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Jonathan Tungpalan, and Public Defender Toan Phan<\/em><\/p>

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\u2019s 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\u2019s continued collaboration with MADD Hawaii, has made a profound impact on the safety and well-being of Hawaii\u2019s roadways.<\/p>

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Kari Benes, Karen Kahikina, Ed Sniffen, Arkie Kohl, and
Wanya Ogata, MADD Advisory Board Chair<\/em><\/p>

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.
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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.

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