Motorcyclist Killed in Kaanapali Accident

By Wendy Osher

Kaanapali Parkway and Honoapiilani Hwy. Intersection where a fatal motorcycle accident occurred at 10/51 p.m. on November, 3, 2011. File photo by Wendy Osher.

A motorcyclist suffered fatal injuries after colliding with a mini van last night in Kaanapali.

The accident was reported at 10:51 p.m. on Thursday, November 3, 2011.

The 25-year-old man was operating a black Kawasaki motorcycle on the Honoapiilani Highway, and was headed southbound when the accident occurred.

He collided into the right side of a light blue Chrysler Town and County mini van that was making a left turn from the highway onto Kaanapali Parkway.

The motorcyclist was killed in the crash, while two passengers within the mini van suffered minor injuries. The motorcyclist was not using a helmet, according to police reports.

The identity of the motorcyclist is pending positive identification and notification of next of kin.

Maui police rerouted southbound traffic onto the Lower Honoapiilani Highway, while the northbound traffic was merged into a single lane between 11 p.m. Thursday, and 3 a.m. on Friday.

The accident was Maui County’s 18th traffic fatality compared to 11 at the same time last year.

Authorities are still investigating whether speed, drugs or alcohol were factors in the crash.