The Maui County Council on Sept. 26 adopted Resolution 25‑176 urging the Maui Police Department to step up enforcement and public education about Hawaii’s helmet requirements for a range of vehicles after several recent serious and fatal crashes.

Nut graf: The resolution cites local crash reports and state statutes governing helmets for motorcycles, mopeds, ATVs, scooters and bicycles, and was prompted in part by public testimony from family members of crash victims who urged the council to act.

What was said and what happened
- The resolution text, read into the record by the clerk, cites several local incidents and studies showing increased odds of fatal injury for unhelmeted riders. It urges the police department to increase enforcement and public awareness and requests certified copies be sent to the police chief, the police commission and the prosecuting attorney.
- Public testimony was strongly emotional and specific: Anela Lono Kaino told the council she lost her 14‑year‑old brother in an ATV crash and urged stronger helmet mandates and enforcement; Cynthia Day, who identified herself as the boy’s great‑aunt, urged better education and enforcement in Hana where children ride frequently without helmets.
- Member Senency moved the resolution; after discussion it carried (council reported 8 ayes, 1 excused). The council noted school fall breaks and the need to target outreach toward youth and parents.

Discussion vs. action: The council’s action is a nonbinding request to law enforcement and prosecutorial authorities rather than a change to county ordinance. The resolution asks county and public safety officials to increase both enforcement and outreach; no new county funding was included in the text.

Ending: Council members praised families for speaking and asked staff and police to coordinate outreach and enforcement plans ahead of school breaks and community events.