“Drunk Driving: Everyone’s Problem” was the subject of a conference held 28 years ago in Honolulu.

The keynote speaker was Candy Lightner, a dynamic woman from Sacramento, Calif., whose 13-year-old daughter’s death at the hands of a repeat DUI offender compelled her to begin a new organization, which she called MADD —Mothers Against Drunk Driving.  

Lightner came to Hawaii to charter three new chapters of the organization. She was angry; she was motivated; and she was in pain. She called drunken driving a socially acceptable form of homicide. Candy imbued many of us that day with her passion to make change.

Now, nearly three decades later, there are many people in our state who are angry, outraged and in pain after hearing the news of several recent crashes through which five young people died on Maui, and a 3-year-old child died on Oahu, with three other children and their mother being seriously injured.

One of the drivers in these two recent crashes has been charged with negligent homicide. Both drivers had previous DUI convictions. Our system for public safety failed to protect those who were killed or injured; it failed to protect their friends and families from the worst grief known to man: the violent, sudden loss of a child.

There are many questions yet to be answered about these crashes, and until we have the answers, it is impossible to know precisely what needs to be done to prevent more such tragedies.

Thankfully, alcohol-related fatalities have decreased 50 percent since the year before MADD was chartered. But now the decrease has slowed, and, in some years, they have increased. Unless there is a dramatic turn around, 2012 will be a very bad year.  

However, there are actions that can be taken right now to strengthen our impaired-driving laws, reduce underage drinking and help victims:

>> Within the next two weeks, call your legislators to pass House Bill 2320, to strengthen and expand our ignition interlock program (in-car breathalyzers), which will keep more drinking drivers off our roads.

>> Encourage legislators to support a resolution (HR 95) that calls for a study about immobilizing the vehicles of those who break the law by driving after their license has been revoked for DUI.

>> Let children and teens know that use of alcohol under the age of 21 is against the law.

Parents can open up honest discussions with their kids about alcohol — talking and being a good role model also really helps.

>> Anyone who has lost a family member or friend in a crash, whether recently or years ago, is encouraged to call MADD’s victim advocate to receive support and resources. The special victim line is 532-6233.

>> Help MADD. The need for volunteers and funding is constant; call 532-6232.

>> Be responsible ourselves. Be sober behind the wheel and buckle up.

We all need to remember: Drunken driving is everyone’s problem.