Hawaiʻi Island police report 21 DUIs in one week

Hawai‘i Island police have reported arresting 21 motorists for driving under the influence of an intoxicant during the week of June 3 through June 9.

Five of the 21 drivers arrested had been involved in a traffic accident, according to police. None of the drivers were under the age of 21.  

The statement also shows that although DUIs have declined by nearly 5 percent in the past year, major crashes have increased by over 15 percent, and car fatalities by over 100 percent.

So far this year, there have been 426 DUI arrests compared with 447 during the same period last year, a decrease of 4.7 percent, according to the police.  

Police also say the Hawaii Police Department’s Traffic Services Section reviewed all updated crashes and found 442 major crashes so far this year, compared with 383 during the same time last year, an increase of 15.4 percent.

To date, there have been 17 fatal crashes, resulting in 19 fatalities (two of which had multiple deaths), compared with eight fatal crashes, resulting in nine fatalities (one of which had multiple deaths, and one died at a later date) for the same time last year.

This represents an increase of 112.5 percent for fatal crashes and 111.1 percent for fatalities.

In 2024, the non-traffic fatality count (not on a public roadway) is zero compared to zero non-traffic fatalities for the same time last year. 

Police say DUI roadblocks and patrols will continue island wide.