Update: Hawai‘i Island police confirm 1 fatality following single-vehicle crash on Palani Road

12:37 p.m. update on Jan. 7: Hawai‘i Island police confirm a 31-year-old Maui man has died following a single-vehicle crash on Palani Road this morning.

Officers responded to the crash at 4:35 a.m. Through the course of their investigation, police determined that a silver 2004 Nissan Frontier pickup was traveling south of the intersection of Hawai‘i Belt Road (Highway 190) and the Highway 180 junction when it crossed over the double solid lines and struck a rock embankment.

The pickup then overturned, struck a utility pole, and went down a 10-foot embankment.

The driver, who was the only occupant in the vehicle, was taken to the Kona Community Hospital where he was later pronounced dead at 6:08 a.m.   

Police believe that speed and impairment are possible factors in the crash. The driver was also not wearing his seatbelt.

The man has not been positively identified, pending the notification of the next of kin.

Hawai‘i Police Department’s Area II Traffic Enforcement Unit has initiated a coroner’s inquest investigation and is asking anyone who may have witnessed the collision to contact Officer Dayson Taniguchi at 808-326-4646, ext. 229, or email at dayson.taniguchi@hawaiicounty.gov.

Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 808-961-8300.

This is the first traffic fatality on Hawai‘i Island in 2024.

12:01 p.m. update on Jan. 7: Both lanes on Palani Road between Route 180 (Hōlualoa Junction) and Hao Kuni Street are open. 

Original post: A portion of Palani Road will be closed in both directions for several hours due to a traffic collision.

The crash occurred near mile marker 36 between Route 180 at Hōlualoa Junction and Hao Kuni Street.

More information will be provided as it becomes available.