Enhanced DUI enforcement continues as crashes rise on Hawai‘i Island

Hawai‘i Island police reported 25 arrests for driving under the influence during the first two weeks of 2026, as officers continue islandwide enforcement efforts aimed at impaired driving.

Police said 13 motorists were arrested for DUI Jan. 1-4, with five of them involved in traffic crashes.

During that same period, officers recorded 10 major crashes, down from 11 a year earlier. No fatal crashes or traffic-related fatalities were reported as of Jan. 4, compared with one fatal crash and one death during the same time last year.

During the following week, Jan. 5-11, police arrested 12 additional motorists for DUI. Five of those arrests involved traffic collisions, and one driver was under 21.

Through Jan. 11, the 25 DUI arrests were down nearly 22 percent from the 32 during the same period in 2025. But the number of major crashes rose to 33, compared with 25 during the same time last year.

One fatal crash resulting in one death had been recorded as of Jan. 11, matching the same number of fatal crashes and fatalities reported at this point last year.

The department’s Traffic Services Section said DUI patrols and sobriety checkpoints will continue across the island as part of ongoing efforts to reduce impaired driving and serious crashes.