DOT making changes to deadly Maui intersection

KIHEI >> The Department of Transportation is taking action to improve safety at an intersection on Piilani Highway where two people were killed earlier this month.

The left-turn lane from East Welakahao Road onto the northbound lanes of Piilani Highway will be closed, so motorists will only be allowed to turn right from East Welakahao onto the southbound lanes of the highway.

The intersection will be restriped beginning Monday, requiring closure of the left lanes of Piilani Highway in both directions in the vicinity of East Welakahao. The closure will occur from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. through Friday.

Motorists wishing to access northbound lanes on Piilani Highway may do so via the East Lipoa Street intersection.

On July 20, a motorcycle heading south on Piilani collided with a van whose driver failed to yield while making a left turn from East Welakahao. The crash killed motorcyclist William Kerr Chapman, 42, of Kihei, and left his female passenger critically injured. Also killed was the van driver, Tina Louise Hanback, 48, of Kihei.