HONOLULU (KHON2) -- Honolulu police were kept busy as the weekend started, as arrest logs showed 10 people were taken into custody for driving under the influence.
Advocates said getting behind the wheel after drinking does not just put other lives at risk.
The 10 arrests were made between 8 p.m. on Friday, June 14 and 4 a.m. on Saturday, June 15. Advocates against drinking and driving said it is both good and bad news.
"The bad news is that, 'My god, there's impaired people driving!' The good news is that we got them," Mothers Against Drunk Driving Hawaii public policy committee chair Arkie Koehl said. "There are checkpoints, roadblocks -- some of them are federally funded -- and patrols."
Koehl said since drunk drivers do not often think about killing victims and leaving families behind, maybe they should think of their wallet and reputation.
"First-time DUI offense can cost you as much as $12,000 or more," Koehl said. "A lot of embarrassment, a lot of time off work, all sorts of problems and that's if you're lucky enough not to hurt somebody!"
Police on Maui said there have been 280 DUI arrests so far in 2024 compared to 209 at the same time in 2023. Those stats carry a bit more meaning for Charlene Brown -- June 23rd marks five years since her 19-year-old daughter was killed by a drunk driver.
"The department and all the organizations don't even call them accidents anymore, they're considered car crashes because they're 100% avoidable," Charlene said. "We don't have a problem with people drinking, you know, go right ahead. But it's against the law to get behind the wheel and drive after you were caught drinking."
Advocates said those who do not drink and drive should share this message with others who are not as responsible.
"Most of us know somebody who needs to have their keys taken away at times, get the message to them. Get the message that the cops are out looking for you and they're going to get you," Koehl said.
"There's a lot of people who don't drink, so find that friend that doesn't drink and take them out with you so they can drive you home," Charlene said, "If not, stay home and drink!"
Big Island police statistics showed there have been 426 DUI 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.