Deadly Baldwin Ave Accident Claims Life of Maui Man

Baldwin Avenue fatal crash. Maui Now graphic.

By Wendy Osher

A Maui man suffered fatal injuries in a single-vehicle crash on Baldwin Avenue overnight.

Police have since identified the victim as Kawika Kahakauwila, 30, of Pāʻia.

The incident was reported at around 9:26 p.m. on Sunday, May 11, 2014, on Baldwin Avenue, about a mile west of ʻIke Drive in Pāʻia.

According to police reports, Kahakauwila, was traveling west on Baldwin Avenue when he lost control of the black 1996 Toyota Tacoma pick-up he was driving, left the roadway, and collided into a tree.

As a result of the crash, Kahakauwila sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

Police say an investigation reveals that a seat belt was not utilized, and the vehicle airbags did not deploy.

Police say the involvement of speed is suspected as a factor in the crash, however the cause of the accident remains under investigation.

This was the 11th traffic fatality on Maui County roads this year compared to eight at the same time last year.