HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – The state Department of Transportation launched its annual “Click it or Ticket” campaign Monday in an effort to remind driver of the importance of wearing a seatbelt.

Police departments across the state are bolstering enforcement efforts as well.

“The great thing is Hawaii leads the nation in usage — with nearly 98% — but we dropped off from last year,” said Hawaii Department of Transportation Director Ed Sniffen.

“It’s a big thing. We also see right now that of in the last four years, of the people who died in their vehicles in Hawaii, half of them weren’t using their seatbelts.”

The cost of a ticket for not buckling up is $102 on Oahu, Maui and Hawaii, and $112 on Kauai.

For more information on Hawaii’s ‘Click it or Ticket’ campaign, click here.

Copyright 2024 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.

By Jake Nisse

Published: 16:50 BST, 20 May 2024 | Updated: 17:21 BST, 20 May 2024

Xander Schauffele did not have his dad and longtime coach, Stefan, with him on Sunday when he won his first major at the PGA Championship.

In fact, Stefan was 4,400 miles away in Kauai, Hawaii, where he’s been staying in a shipping container without television.

According to Golf.com, Stefan is overseeing construction of what will become a ‘family compound’ on 22 acres of farmland.

Stefan reportedly did not watch most of the tournament’s opening stages, but made his way to a local sports bar on Saturday before watching his son win on Sunday at some friends’ vacation rental.

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‘I was actually able to call him when I was standing, waiting to walk onto the 18th green,’ Schauffele told reporters after his win.

Xander Schauffele celebrated his first major win as he captured the PGA Championship

Schauffele’s dad, Stefan, has served as his swing coach his entire life. Schauffele also works with coach Chris Como.

Schauffele and his father look on prior to the 43rd Ryder Cup in 2021 in Kohler, Wisconsin

‘He was a mess. He was crying on the phone. It made me pretty emotional. I told him I had to hang up because I had to walk down. I couldn’t show up looking like the way I was.’ 

Stefan added to Golf.com, ‘I just started crying. Finally it happened. Finally, that happened,’ he said, inevitability replaced by wonder. 

‘I was just observing until he won – and then I let the emotions go. At that moment I was helpless. Give me the Kleenex box.’

While Schauffele is now the No. 2 player in the world, Sunday marked his first major victory in what had been a career of almosts.

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The 30-year-old had produced six top-five finishes in majors before his PGA Championship win, including runner-up finishes in The Masters and British Open respectively.

Stefan, seen in 2021, said he cried after his son clinched the PGA Championship

Schauffele said after his win that he talked to his dad before walking onto the 18th green

Schauffele has been coached by his dad for his entire career, though he has also started to work with swing coach Chris Como.  

‘Now that I’m working with Chris, he feels like he can kind of take his hands off the wheel. He trusts him a lot, I trust him a lot,’ Schauffele added.

‘My dad is at that stage in his life, I really want him to be happy, and I know this is going to bring him a ton of joy where he’s at in Hawai’i right now.’

HOWELL — Noah Flores, a senior at Howell High School, is headed to the University of Hawaii on a full-ride scholarship this fall, thanks to a prestigious national scholarship through the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corp he earned working with the school’s Air Force JROTC.

The scholarship comes with an annual book stipend, a monthly stipend, and summer training cruises with naval officers to gain on-the-job experience. He plans to major in marine biology.

“I’ve been interested in the Navy since my sophomore year in high school,” Flores says. “It’s always been my goal to (serve) in the military.”

To qualify for the scholarship, Flores had to meet the required SAT/ACT score, complete multiple interviews with various military personnel and civilian workers, and be deemed medically qualified by the U.S. Department of Defense. He also considered Ohio State University, but selected Hawaii because it gives him greater access to marine studies.

“I’ve always loved the water and am fascinated about (things) that live deep in the ocean,” Flores said. “(Hawaii) was on my bucket list of places to travel so I can knock that off my list.”

Upon graduation with a bachelor’s degree, Flores will become a second lieutenant officer in the U.S. Navy. After bootcamp, he hopes to become a naval pilot. His experience in JROTC should also qualify him for a higher salary once he finishes his undergraduate coursework.

Earning the prestigious scholarship is a testament to Flores’ character, dedication and leadership, according to Chief Master Stg. Jeffrey Bundy of the U.S. Air Force. Bundy is an HHS senior aerospace science instructor.

“We are confident that he will excel in his future endeavors and uphold the values of our unit and the military. This scholarship is an incredible opportunity for Cadet Flores to further develop his skills and make a significant impact as a future naval officer.”

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Flores said his experience in JROTC has helped him become more disciplined at school and in life, and has given him leadership skills he can use forever.

“I really wanted to have that discipline because I think it gives me something that some other (high school students) may not have,” Flores said. “I’m fortunate.”

— M. Alan Scott is a freelance writer for The Livingston Daily. Contact the newsroom at newsroom@livingstondaily.com.