Updated on: Sunday, March 18, 2007

Sunshine Week:
Your right to know
Sunshine Week is an annual national observance highlighting the importance of the public's right to know how the government operates. During the week, The Advertiser focuses on the state Department of Transportation's ongoing resistance to sharing critical traffic accident information that could help save lives and prevent injuries.

FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 2007 Public safety takes back seat to lawsuit concern Every time Makaha resident Maralyn Kurshals passes the makeshift memorials along Farrington Highway marking the spots where people have perished in crashes on the Wai'anae Coast, she's reminded of the senseless loss of life. [more]  •  High fees used to thwart search for public data  •  Two other states also have said no to data How much you will pay to get government information What it takes to get information from your government

THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 2007  •  State's traffic crash records questioned When a federal team came to Hawai'i in October to evaluate the state's traffic records system, the team found many problems. The database for crash records was unreliable and unable to fully support the state's highway safety programming and analysis, the five-member group determined.  •  Deadly problem remains for lack of openness  •  Crosswalk crackdown urged Get tips on best way to request documents How to appeal when agency rejects request for info State works to keep public informed in effort to help prevent injuries

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14, 2007  •  Public pays price for crash data secrecy Driven by fears of losing costly lawsuits, the state so tightly restricts access to its massive database of traffic accidents that experts say safety research suffers, likely contributing to more deaths and injuries on Hawai'i roads.  •  State withheld crash data, sparking dispute  •  Government's response to requests 'unacceptable'  •  List of public information resources Citizens responsible in exercising Freedom of Information rights