Total of nearly 190 DUI arrests made on Big Island roadways so far this year

Another 15 motorists were arrested by Hawai‘i Police Department officers during the week of March 3-9 for driving under the influence of an intoxicant on Big Island roadways, bringing the total number of DUI arrests on Hawai’i Island for 2025 so far to 186.

That’s an increase of nearly 3% from the 181 DUI arrests made by the same time last year.

More than half of those arrested, 8, the first full week of March were also involved in traffic crashes, and 6 of the intoxicated motorists weren’t even legally old enough to drink, as they were younger than 21 years old.

Police data show that Hilo is still leading with 76 DUI arrests so far this year, but Kona is creeping up behind for a close second with 60. South Kohala is still third with 15 DUI arrests and Puna comes in fourth with 32.

Kona took the lead for the week, however, with 9 motorists being arrested for driving under the influence. Hilo followed with 3 and South Kohala with 2. Puna had 1 DUI arrest to round out the total of 15.

Fortunately, driving on Big Island roads might be getting somewhat safer despite the uptick in DUI arrests.

In a review of all updated crash reports last week, the Hawai‘i Police Department Traffic Services Section found there have been 178 major crashes through the first part of March 2025.

That’s a nearly 4% decrease from the 185 major crashes by the same time in 2024.

Unfortunately, however, the island’s roadways are on par with last year when it comes to deadly crashes and have seen more deaths related to them.

There have been 7 fatal crashes resulting in 8 fatalities through the first week of March this year compared to 7 fatalities and 7 fatalities by the same time last year.

While it is just 1 more fatality than 2024, it represents about a 14% increase already in 2025.

There have been no non-traffic fatalities on public roadways this year, the same as last year.

DUI roadblocks and patrols will continue islandwide.