The Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) announced that the speed limit on the Queen Kaʻahumanu Highway between mile posts 67 and 75.4 (vicinity of Kawaihae Road and vicinity of Waikoloa Beach Drive) is now 45 mph. The changes took effect Friday, September 9,

The prior speed limit along this corridor ranged from 55 mph to 45 mph. It was 55 mph between the highway intersection with Kawaihae Road and the north entrance of Waikoloa Beach Drive; then it changed to 45 mph until the south entrance of Waikoloa Beach Drive.

Changing the speed limit to make it a consistent 45 mph was prompted by crash data, including one fatal crash, T-bone crashes at the Mauna Lani Drive intersection, reported near crashes, and the presence of adjacent residences.

HDOT actively manages speed to improve safety on state roads by using tactics such as speed limit signs, right sizing, roundabouts, and raised pedestrian crosswalks where appropriate. The likelihood of fatality increases significantly with speed.  Implementing speed management and traffic calming can reduce serious traffic injuries and fatalities while ensuring an efficient system.