Kula Man Dies in New Year Accident on Pūlehu Road

A Maui man suffered fatal injuries in a motor vehicle collision on New Years Day.

The accident was reported at 6:18 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019 on Pūlehu Road just south of Ōmaʻopio Road.

Police have since identified the victim as 20-year-old Mau Loa Pacheco, of Kula.

According to department reports, Pacheco was operating a 2004 Honda CRV and was attempting to negotiate a right curve in the road when the vehicle lost control, struck a dirt embankment on the opposing shoulder and rolled into a large metal utility pole.

The man was partially ejected from the vehicle and died at the scene, according to police reports.

The cause of the accident remains under investigation.

This was Maui County’s first traffic fatality for 2019, compared to none the same time last year.