Maui Motorcyclist Killed in High Speed Crash in Kaanapali

Kaanapali Parkway at the Honoapiilani Hwy intersection, file photo by Wendy Osher.

By Wendy Osher

A Maui motorcyclist suffered fatal injuries in an accident on the Honoapiilani Highway in Kaanapali Tuesday afternoon, January 24, 2012.

The man, identified as Wayan Decosta, 21, of Honokowai, was operating a 2001 Yamaha motorcycle, and was traveling north on the Highway at around 3:35 p.m. when he collided with an unattended parked truck.

Witnesses tell police that the motorcyclist was traveling at a high rate of speed of between 80 and 100 miles per hour, and was weaving in and out of heavy traffic when the accident occurred.

According to police reports, Decosta was headed toward Napili when he elected to pass a van traveling in the outside (slow) lane about 1700 feet north of the Kaanapali Parkway intersection.  Police say he attempted to pass on the right, leaving the travel portion of the roadway and entered the bicycle lane.

Shortly thereafter, police say, he collided into the rear of an unattended parked truck (1991 Isuzu pickup).

Decosta was not wearing a helmet and died after being transported to the Maui Memorial Medical Center at 4 p.m.

Police suspect speed as a contributing factor of the crash, and continue to investigate possible contributing factors.

The accident was the 2nd traffic fatality on Maui County roads, compared to none at the same time last year.

The accident forced the closure of the northbound lanes of travel until 6:50 p.m. while police conducted an investigation.