Deadly Honoapi‘ilani Accident Claims Life of Lahaina Man

UPDATE:

A deadly head-on accident on the Honoapiilani Highway on Monday morning, May 20, 2019, claimed the life of a Lahaina man.

Maui police say the accident occurred at 9:15 a.m., 0.2 miles south of the Lahaina Bypass.

The collision occurred as a white 2017 Mercedes-Benz cargo van was traveling northbound on the highway and crossed left of center.  Police say the van collided head-on into a silver 1987 Nissan pickup truck traveling in the opposite direction.

As a result of the collision, the pickup driver, identified by police as 69-year-old Alvarez Barbosa, died at the scene.

The operator of the van, a 20-year-old Kahului man, was transported to the hospital in stable condition.

This was Maui County’s 9th traffic fatality of the year, compared to three at the same time last year.

Police say the involvement of speed, drugs, and alcohol are still pending, as the investigation is ongoing.

PREVIOUS POST: UPDATE: 12:40 P.M. 5.20.19

The Honoapiʻilani Hwy is now OPEN in both directions as of 12:40 p.m. on Monday, May 20, 2019, according to Maui police. The road was closed for about three hours while police conducted an investigation into a motor vehicle accident reported near the southern terminus of the bypass at Mile 16 to 17 in West Maui.  Motorist can expect significant delays as traffic resumes its normal flow.

Witnesses to the accident tell Maui Now that one of the vehicles involved in the crash appeared to be attempting to overtake another vehicle on the highway.  According to unconfirmed reports, a witness tells us that vehicle proceeded to “drift off into the oncoming traffic and plowed into” an oncoming vehicle.

*This post will be updated when further information is released.  Maui Now reached out to police and we are awaiting further details. Please check back.

UPDATE: 12:07 p.m. 5.20.19

Motorists tell Maui Now that they are being rerouted onto an old dirt road in Launiupoko/Olowalu for alternating traffic, while police continue their investigation into a motor vehicle accident reported at around 9:30 a.m. on the Honoapiʻilani Hwy at Mile 16-17 near the south end of the Bypass.

PREVIOUS POST: ROAD CLOSURE: 9:32 a.m. 5.20.19

The Honoapiʻilani Highway (Hwy 30) in Lahaina is temporarily closed in both directions between mile-marker 16 and 17 due to a motor vehicle accident. This is in the area near the bottom or south side of the Bypass.

The notification was issued at around 9:30 a.m. on Monday, May 20, 2019.

Motorists can expect significant delays and are asked to plan accordingly.

Maui police advise the public to please be patient as police investigate.

*Check back for updates. This post will be updated as more information becomes available. 

Honoapiʻilani accident. PC: Ray Rogers (5.20.19)

Honoapiʻilani accident. PC: Ray Rogers (5.20.19)

Photo: Maui Police Department

Deadly Honoapi‘ilani Accident Claims Life of Lahaina Man. Photo: Maui Police Department

Honoapi’ilani Highway, backed up traffic near Mile 16-17 due to a traffic accident reported at around 9:30 a.m. on Monday, May 20, 2019.
PC: Kaye Love.

Maui police are now alternating traffic using an old dirt road at Olowalu/Launiupoko. PC: 12:07 p.m. 5.20.19. C. Bergson.

Maui police are now alternating traffic using an old dirt road at Olowalu/Launiupoko. PC: 12:07 p.m. 5.20.19. C. Bergson.

Lahaina Bypass vantage to West Maui Mountains. File photo by Wendy Osher