The Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) will remove passing zones on Queen Kaʻahumanu Highway (Route 19) between Waikoloa Beach Drive and Keāhole Airport Road, covering mile posts 78 to 92.6. This change comes after multiple incidents involving passing vehicles, including at least two fatalities over the past five years.
The removal of the passing zones is scheduled to begin on January 26, 2026, and will take about five days. The work involves restriping the centerline with double 4-inch yellow thermoplastic stripes. “Do Not Pass” signs have already been posted along this stretch and will be uncovered as work progresses. The previous “Pass With Care” sign has been removed.
According to HDOT, “The passing zone removal will enforce safe driving habits and enhance the safety of motorists traveling on the highway. Along this segment of Queen Kaʻahumanu Highway, there have been multiple near misses and crashes related to passing vehicles, with at least two fatalities related to passing vehicles in the past five years.”
“Do Not Pass” signs along this stretch of highway have been posted and will be uncovered as the passing zones are removed. The existing “Pass With Care” sign has been removed.
HDOT actively manages its highways to improve safety on state roads by adding or removing striping, installing new signs and signposts, removing redundant signage and the general maintenance and cleaning of signage. The likelihood of fatality increases in a passing zone for all users of the highway. Implementing the no-pass zone can reduce serious traffic injuries and fatalities while ensuring an efficient system.
HDOT appreciates all drivers that follow traffic control signs and contribute to safety on our roads.
HDOT serves as a state agency overseeing transportation systems across air, land, and water throughout Hawaii’s six major islands (official website). It manages airports, harbors, and a statewide highway network while coordinating with federal agencies such as the Federal Aviation Administration and county departments (official website). HDOT’s mission is to provide safe mobility for people and goods while supporting economic growth (official website).
