Officer Sterling Ohia, uses a laser speed gun to track speeders on Kamehameha IV Road during a sign waving event at Dole Intermediate School. Students came out during morning rush hour to ask motorists to slow down. The event was organized by local auto insurer AIG Hawaii. Richard Ambo • The Honolulu Advertiser

The gathering in front of Dole Intermediate in Kalihi was sponsored by AIG Hawaii Insurance, which wants to raise public awareness about trouble spots where motorists drive too fast.

In the hour they gathered before school this morning, police cited six speeders who zoomed through the 25 mph zone at speeds of 37 mph to 46 mph, said Sgt. Roy Hayamoto of HPD's Kalihi substation. They also cited a driver for not wearing a seatbelt.

The area is a regular trouble spot. When morning commuters find stalled traffic on the nearby Likelike Highway, they often use Kamehameha IV Road as an alternative, without slowing down much, said Hayamoto, who joined the signwavers.

Today, officers also set up one of their large electronic signs that show drivers how fast they're going. Hayamoto said he thinks the sign works and plans to use it there more often.

"People tend to do what the consensus does," Hayamoto said. "If the majority of people show they care, they will care also. If they see kids out there, they realize I am not just speeding by myself."

Of course, if they don't get the message, Hayamoto said police will continue to patrol the area and issue their friendly reminders.