Kauai man, 35, suffers fatal injuries in Koloa crash

A two-vehicle crash on Maluhia Road in Koloa Friday resulted in one driver’s death and serious injury to his female passenger.

The Kauai Police Department said the collision occured around 4:10 a.m. when a 2008 Honda sedan traveling north on Maluhia Road crossed the center line on a curve and crashed into a southbound 2022 Toyota sport utility vehicle.

KPD identified the Honda driver who suffered fatal injuries as Brandon Nakaahiki, 35, a Kauai resident with no permanent address. His front-seat passenger, a 33-year-old Koloa woman, was transported by medics to Wilcox Medical Center before being transferred to The Queen’s Medical Center on Oahu for further treatment.

The 70-year-old Kapaa woman who was operating the Toyota SUV did not report any injuries.

According to KPD, a preliminary investigation indicated that speed and weather conditions may have been contributing factors in the fatal crash. Toxicology results are pending to determine whether impairment was also a factor.

Nakaahiki is Kauai’s second traffic fatality of 2026.