Larger field of runners slows traffic during Kailua race

By June Watanabe

POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Oct 16, 2012

~~<p>Question: I was driving on Kainalu Drive on Sunday morning, Oct. 7, and turned to get on Kalaheo Avenue to get to Marine Corps Base Hawaii. Then I turned left and saw traffic cones in the middle of Kalaheo Avenue and a lot of runners in the right lane. I tried to avoid the runners but was flagged down by two cops at the intersection of Kainui Drive and Kalaheo. One said I should slow down and stop swerving. What was I supposed to do? Drive straight and run down the runners? I was going about 20 mph as there were a lot of runners in a 30 mph speed zone. I think the race promoters did a lousy job as there were no signs about speed limits or detours. Friends said another cop told them the road was closed from Kailua Beach. No signs there, either. Who was responsible? Couldn't there have been signs and police officers who were better informed on what was to be done to ensure the safety of drivers and runners?</p>
<p>Answer: Organizers acknowledge they could have done a better job with more more signs and notifying the community about the race through Kaneohe and Kailua.</p>
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Question: I was driving on Kainalu Drive on Sunday morning, Oct. 7, and turned to get on Kalaheo Avenue to get to Marine Corps Base Hawaii. Then I turned left and saw traffic cones in the middle of Kalaheo Avenue and a lot of runners in the right lane. I tried to avoid the runners but was flagged down by two cops at the intersection of Kainui Drive and Kalaheo. One said I should slow down and stop swerving. What was I supposed to do? Drive straight and run down the runners? I was going about 20 mph as there were a lot of runners in a 30 mph speed zone. I think the race promoters did a lousy job as there were no signs about speed limits or detours. Friends said another cop told them the road was closed from Kailua Beach. No signs there, either. Who was responsible? Couldn't there have been signs and police officers who were better informed on what was to be done to ensure the safety of drivers and runners?

Answer: Organizers acknowledge they could have done a better job with more more signs and notifying the community about the race through Kaneohe and Kailua. Login for more...