Two Injured in Princeville Crash, Kuhio Highway Closed Briefly

Kaua‘i Police said a southbound Toyota struck the passenger side of a northbound Chevrolet while the Chevrolet attempted a U turn at the intersection of Kuhio Highway and Kapaka Street in Princeville on November 18. The Toyota then left the roadway. Both drivers were transported to Wilcox Medical Center for treatment, police reported on November 19.

A 24 year old woman from Kapa‘a was treated and released, while a 79 year old man from Princeville was admitted for observation. Authorities closed Kuhio Highway in both directions for about 45 minutes while traffic investigators worked the scene, creating traffic backups on a major east shore corridor during evening commuting hours. Investigators said speed did not appear to be a factor and that toxicology tests are pending.

The collision and the temporary closure highlight the vulnerability of key county thoroughfares to sudden disruptions. Kuhio Highway serves as the main connection for residents, tourists, and essential services along the North Shore, and even a short closure can affect commute times, emergency response and local businesses. The location of the crash at Kapaka Street is within a stretch of road that mixes residential access with tourist traffic, making clear sight lines and safe turning movements essential.

From a policy perspective, the incident raises questions about intersection design, signage and enforcement of turning maneuvers at busy points along Kuhio Highway. County transportation planners and police traffic units routinely review crash reports to identify patterns that merit engineering changes, targeted enforcement or public outreach. Pending toxicology results will determine whether impairment played a role, and those findings will inform any potential citations or recommendations for enforcement priorities.

Emergency response and hospital capacity also factor into community impact. Wilcox Medical Center received and treated both drivers, underscoring the hospital's role as the primary emergency facility for North Shore incidents. Short term closures like this one can also complicate responses to simultaneous emergencies, which makes traffic incident management and rapid clearance a public safety priority.

For residents, the collision is a reminder to exercise caution around intersections, to anticipate U turns and other turning movements, and to allow extra travel time when highway incidents are reported. County officials and Kaua‘i Police say they will continue to investigate the crash and update the public when toxicology results and any formal determinations are complete.