Honolulu Police: 10 arrests for drunk driving at night

HONOLULU (KHON2) — Honolulu police had their hands full earlier this weekend as arrest records show 10 people were arrested for driving under the influence.

Proponents said driving under the influence of alcohol not only endangers the lives of others.

The ten arrests occurred between 8pm on Friday June 14 and 4am on Saturday June 15. Anti-drink-driving campaigners said this was both good and bad news.

“The bad news is, ‘My God, there are drunk people driving!’ The good news is we caught them,” said Arkie Koehl, chair of the public policy committee for Mothers Against Drunk Driving Hawaii. “There are checkpoints, roadblocks – some of them federally funded – and patrols.”

Koehl said drunk drivers don’t often think about killing victims and leaving their families behind. Maybe they should think about their wallets and their reputations.

“A first offense for drunk driving can cost you $12,000 or more,” Koehl said. “A lot of embarrassment, a lot of lost work, all kinds of problems – and that’s if you’re lucky enough not to hurt anyone!”

Maui police said there have been 280 arrests for driving under the influence so far in 2024, compared to 209 at the same time in 2023. Those statistics are a little more significant for Charlene Brown — June 23 marks the five-year anniversary of her 21-year-old daughter being killed by a drunk driver.

“The department and all the organizations don’t even call them accidents anymore, they’re considered car accidents because they’re 100% preventable,” Charlene said. “We don’t have a problem with people drinking, so go ahead. But it’s against the law to get behind the wheel and drive after you’ve been caught drinking.”

Advocates said those who do not drive drunk should pass that message on to others who do not act as responsibly.

“Most of us know someone who needs to have their keys taken away sometimes. Give them the message. Give them the message that the police are looking for you and will get you,” Koehl said.

“There are a lot of people who don’t drink, so find a friend who doesn’t drink and take them with you to drive you home,” Charlene said. “If not, stay home and drink!”

Big Island police statistics show there have been 426 drunk driving arrests so far in 2024, compared to 447 at the same time in 2023. Kauai and Honolulu police did not respond to KHON2’s requests for statistics.