On Saturday, May 24, Maui joined more than 400 cities around the world in hosting the annual Ride of Silence, a moving tribute to cyclists who have been killed or injured on our roadways. Riders wore white, rode silently, and paused to remember loved ones lost too soon.

We honored Maui residents Karl Hagen, Volker Weiss, Agustin Dela Cruz, Henry Ritmeester, and Andrew Janssen — all victims of tragic crashes. Their stories, and the devastating toll on their families and our community, illustrate the urgency behind Maui’s Vision Zero goals.

In 2025, Maui has already experienced over six pedestrian fatalities, and Hawaiʻi statewide has seen a 51% increase in traffic deaths compared to the same time last year. These numbers aren’t just statistics — they represent our neighbors, friends, and ʻohana. We must act to prevent further loss.

Vision Zero is more than a policy — it’s a promise to eliminate all traffic fatalities and serious injuries by 2040. The County of Maui adopted a Vision Zero Resolution in 2021, but implementation remains lacking. As chair of the Maui Bicycling League, I urge our leaders and residents to act now.

Common Thread

A review of the cyclists we’ve lost on Maui reveals a pattern we can’t ignore: impaired, negligent, and reckless driving are consistent causes of these fatal crashes. These are not accidents — they’re preventable tragedies.

Karl Hagen was killed in a crash caused by a drug-impaired driver. The driver was sentenced to prison terms totaling 15 years for the fatal crash and for drug possession. Then-Judge Richard Bissen’s powerful statement at sentencing still resonates today:

“Your rule-breaking attitude has cost a man his life,” 2nd Circuit Judge Richard Bissen said to Michael Cattaneo, after Hagen’s family and friends described how the husband, father, son, brother and friend was taken too soon. “And as you can hear, it’s devastated pretty much a small community.”

“Whether it was Mr. Hagen or someone who didn’t have the friends and family he has, the loss would be the same,” Bissen added. “There’s nothing the court can do that would change the circumstances. “I guess the focus is on how would we change you or people who think like you or people who act like you,” the judge told Cattaneo.

How do I stop them and you from doing this again? What I can do is separate you from society long enough for you to gain this insight and also prevent this from happening to others.”

Here are the other recent Maui fatalities:

• Agustin Dela Cruz, age 73, was killed by a habitual DUI offender who fled the scene.
• Volker Weiss, age 59, died when a vehicle overtook multiple cars on a narrow road.
• Henry Ritmeester, age 64, and Andrew Janssen, age 64, were killed by negligent drivers failing to observe cyclists with the right-of-way.

These cases demand more than sympathy. They demand accountability, enforcement, and systemic change.

What We Need Now

Vision Zero depends on safe street design, driver education, and strong law enforcement. That includes holding impaired and negligent drivers accountable, redesigning dangerous roadways, and ensuring that vulnerable road users — like cyclists and pedestrians — are visible and protected.

One important but often overlooked protection is the Vulnerable User Law in Hawaiʻi, which allows for maximum sentencing in cases where vulnerable users are injured or killed. The community must be better educated about this law — and authorities must be prepared to enforce it.

Additionally, the 3-foot passing law (4 feet for commercial vehicles) is vital to cyclist safety. Education and signage are key. Learn more at MauiBicyclingLeague.org/3-foot-law.

The Maui Bicycling League has worked tirelessly to promote safer roads. We supported the formation of the Maui Metropolitan Planning Organization, pushed for the adoption of the Vision Zero Resolution, and now host education programs such as Safe Routes to School and bike safety education for keiki. But we can’t do this alone.

We were honored to have county leaders and the Maui Police Department join us at this year’s Ride of Silence. Their presence matters. But we ask for more than symbolic support — we ask for action:

• Accelerate implementation of the Vision Zero Maui Action Plan;
• increase DUI checkpoints and enforcement against negligent driving;
• fund safe infrastructure for biking and walking; and
• educate the public on laws that protect vulnerable road users, including the 3-foot law and Vulnerable User Law.

Vision Zero isn’t just about cyclists. It’s about families crossing the street. It’s about drivers getting home safely. It’s about keiki walking to school. It’s about every person who uses our roads.

We invite the Maui community to join us — not just to remember, but to act. Let the Ride of Silence be a turning point. Let’s create a future where no one else is lost on our roads.

Learn more at www.mauibike.org.