Project Summary
The transportation safety needs of Hawaiians and other minorities in Hawaii have never been addressed. As a result, very little is known about them. Unlike Indian reservations, Hawaii has no reservations and most Hawaiians and part Hawaiians are scattered throughout Hawaii (and other states).
However, (1) certain rural regions contain a relatively high percentage of Hawaiians, part-Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders, and (2) the state Department of Hawaii Home Lands (DHHL) controls sizeable parcels of land, some of which are already developed into housing units and occupied by Hawaiians and part-Hawaiians. To be eligible to occupy the housing, the title holder needs to have at least an one-eighth Hawaiian blood quantum.
The road accident incidence and road accident injury rates of Hawaiians, part-Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders are largely unknown. Their needs and requirements for traffic safety are also unknown.
The primary regions of focus for our research are the village of Waimanalo on Oahu, the all-rural Waianae coast, also on Oahu, and the entire island of Hawaii, locally referred to as the Big Island. Pictured is a head on collision on the Big Island; it occurred on October 14, 2017 (one fatality).
