The Hawaii County Department of Public Works is installing temporary speed humps in the Pauka'a area just north of Hilo.

The first speed humps were installed this week on Kahoa Street and Kulana Street.

A total of ten speed humps will be in place by the end of this coming week.

There will be no disruption of traffic flow as one half of each speed hump will be

installed at a time while allowing traffic flow on the other half of the street.

The speed humps are temporary because the county will be testing a new program where recycled rubber speed humps are installed to determine if the community is satisfied with the placement and results before the permanent asphalt speed humps are put in place.

"We are installing the speed humps in this area because of the high speeds of the

traffic traveling along the old Mamalahoa Highway and nearby streets through this

residential community. This community started the speed hump petition process several years ago and we are pleased to be able to instigate this solution," said Ron Thiel, chief of the county's traffic division.

The temporary speed humps are extra wide; three inches high and 14 feet in length

in the direction of travel. They extend across the entire width of the street.