City to display wrecked Wahiawa vehicles

By Scott Ishikawa
Advertiser Transportation Writer

In the wake of recent fatal accidents along Kaukonahua Road, Wahiawa police are trying to set up displays of wrecked vehicles along Central O'ahu roadways to encourage safer driving.

The project would be an extension of the police department's "Live and Let Live" project during the holiday season, in which cars wrecked in traffic accidents are displayed along highways and major roads.

Honolulu Police Maj. William Gulledge, commander of the Wahiawa station, said police are working with the military on displaying vehicles demolished in accidents to remind drivers of the hazards of speeding and driving under the influence.

Seven people, including three Mililani High students, have died in accidents along Kaukonahua Road — a winding road between Wahiawa and Waialua — since February.

There have been 20 fatalities there since 1994.

"We like to do this before (high school) graduation as a reminder to drive safely," Gulledge said.

Gulledge said they are talking with towing companies to provide the wrecked vehicles, and with the Army for use of heavy transport vehicles to display the wrecks.

"We're trying to get permission from property owners such as Dole to set up the displays, since most of Kaukonahua is too narrow to post the vehicles," he said.

Police have also asked officials at three area high schools — Mililani, Leilehua, and Waialua — if they could display the cars on campus. The three Mililani High School boys were killed April 12 on Kaukonahua when their car collided with an oncoming vehicle.

Leilehua High is interested in the display, but Mililani High principal Robert Ginlack said he declined the offer, saying his students needed time to heal emotionally.

"Maybe in a year or two, we'll consider it," Ginlack said.

Police have handed out more than 1,200 speeding citations along Kaukonahua Road since the April 12 accident, Gulledge said.