Hawaii’s Top 8 Most Deadliest Intersections and Roads

From the Big Island’s winding roads to Honolulu’s dense urban grid, Hawaii’s roadways can be deceptively dangerous. While the islands are known for their scenic drives and laid-back atmosphere, certain intersections have become notorious for frequent and severe crashes. Many of these high-risk locations see a deadly mix of high-speed traffic, distracted driving, limited visibility, and outdated infrastructure, putting both motorists and pedestrians in harm’s way.

Whether it’s a busy junction near a school zone or a fast-moving highway intersection with minimal signage, these locations stand out for the number of lives they’ve impacted. This report identifies some of the most dangerous intersections in the Aloha State by examining crash data and known hazard patterns. Understanding where these risks lie is a crucial step toward prevention for drivers, city planners, and residents alike.

1. Ala Moana Boulevard (1450 Block), Honolulu – O‘ahu

The 1450 block of Ala Moana Boulevard, adjacent to the iconic Ala Moana Center, remains one of Honolulu’s most hazardous crash zones. In recent years, pedestrian fatalities continue to occur along this stretch: in November 2022, a 55‑year‑old man was struck and killed just west of Ward Avenue, O‘ahu’s 41st traffic death of the year. In October 2023, the area saw another fatal collision near Atkinson Drive, marking the island’s 47th traffic death.

In July 2024, yet another pedestrian lost their life here near Queen Street, becoming the 18th traffic fatality of the year on O‘ahu.

Beyond these tragedies, a motorcycle crash in April 2024 resulted in a fatality near the Waikīkī end of the stretch. And in February 2025, a pedestrian crossing mid‑block between Ward Avenue and the mall entrance was critically injured.

These are not isolated incidents; instead, they form a troubling pattern of annual fatal and serious crashes, many involving pedestrians crossing outside marked crosswalks or turning vehicles.

Recent Fatal-Crash Breakdown (2022–2025):

• Pedestrian fatalities: At least 3 (Nov 2022, Oct 2023, July 2024)
• Motorcyclist fatality: 1 (April 2024)
• Severe injury: 1 (Feb 2025 pedestrian struck mid-block)
• Average: Nearly one fatal or serious casualty per year in this short segment

Key Hazards:

• High vehicle and pedestrian volumes, driven by mall traffic, bus routes, and commuters
• Mid-block crossings with short crossing windows and poor visibility
• Congested lanes, fast merging zones, and unpredictable driver behavior
• Insufficient lighting & signal protection for pedestrians, especially at night

This corridor connects Ala Moana Center, Ala Moana Beach Park, and the Kaka‘ako neighborhood, with multiple bus lines and heavy tour and commuter traffic. Despite traffic enforcement sweeps, like the HPD Night Enforcement Unit working this area in 2025, the frequency of serious crashes highlights its reputation as one of urban Honolulu’s most dangerous stretches. Safety improvements are urgently needed to curb the ongoing cycle of pedestrian harm.

2. Farrington Highway & Fort Weaver Road, Ewa Beach – O‘ahu

Farrington Highway at Fort Weaver Road is explicitly identified by the Hawaii Department of Transportation as one of O‘ahu’s top intersections for fatal and serious injury crashes, underscoring its dangerous reputation in recent years.

Located in a densely developed suburban area, this junction connects heavy through-traffic on Farrington with frequent turning movements into residential, school, and shopping zones. The constant interaction between high-speed highway traffic and local trips generates dangerous conflict points.

Recent crash reports illustrate the intersection’s severity: In February 2024, a fatal single-vehicle crash on Fort Weaver Road resulted in one death linked to speeding. Additional March and April 2024 incidents involved serious collisions between motorcycles and vehicles turning at the junction.

A September 2024 head-on crash also ended in a fatality due to speeding on Fort Weaver Road near this intersection. These high-severity incidents within just 18 months point to a persistent threat to safety.

Collision breakdown (2024 data):

• Fatal crashes: At least four fatalities from February to September 2024
• Motor vehicle incidents: Multiple serious crashes involving high-speed cars and motorcycles
• Pedestrian and cyclist involvement: Cases of hit-and-run and mid-block pedestrian injuries

Unique hazards:

• High-speed through-traffic merging with local turning movements.
• Frequent speeding violations, often linked to severe crashes.
• Dense suburban development, including schools and shopping centers.
• Minimal pedestrian infrastructure, forcing interactions amid fast-moving vehicles.
• Poor lighting on adjacent roadways is worsening nighttime safety.

This vital intersection serves the Ewa Beach community, providing access to Farrington Highway, Fort Weaver Road (Route 76), residential neighborhoods, schools, and shopping centers. HDOT is underway on widening and safety upgrades, including shoulders, sidewalks, bike lanes, and lighting, and the area is actively marked for improvements.

However, until those changes are completed in 2027, this junction will remain one of O‘ahu’s most dangerous spots. Speed, design flaws, and traffic mix combine to pose a serious safety threat.

3. Kahekili Highway (Route 340), Maui

Kahekili Highway, also known as Route 340, is consistently identified as one of Hawaii’s most treacherous roads, notorious for its winding, cliff-side route along Maui’s northwest coast. A 2024 Islands feature even named it among the world’s most dangerous roads, with vehicle rental companies sometimes prohibiting travel on this stretch due to its perilous design.

Between 2013 and 2021, this highway was the site of multiple fatal accidents: a bicyclist plunged down a cliff in 2013, several cars veered over 100‑ to 200-foot drops in 2014 and 2016, a deadly crash occurred in early 2021, and additional fatal and near-fatal incidents followed in early 2024. These reports reflect a continuing pattern of severe, life-threatening incidents, many involving cliff-edge plunges.

Collision Breakdown (2021–2025 data):

• Fatal crashes: At least three documented fatalities (Jan 2024 pedestrian, early 2021 cliff plunge, April 2024 pedestrian/vehicle crash)
• Serious injury crashes: 2+ (July 2024 collision injuring two minors crossing, Feb 2025 hit-and-run pedestrian injury)
• Crash frequency: 3–4 high-severity incidents per year, along a narrow, 20-mile stretch with multiple no-guardrail zones

Key Hazards

• Extremely narrow and winding roads, often single-lane with blind corners and no guardrails
• Sheer cliff drops ranging from 100 to 200 feet, sometimes without any safety barriers, and minimal visibility around sharp curves, exacerbated by missing guardrails and inclement weather
• Rockslides and debris, common in wet conditions, add to the crisis of single-lane navigation.

Kahekili Highway stretches approximately 20 miles between Kapalua and Wailuku, passing through scenic but hazard-prone terrain, particularly near Kahakuloa and the famous Olivine Pools. Residents use it, tourists drawn to scenic stops like Julia’s banana bread stand, cyclists, and motorcyclists.

Community concerns led rental companies to restrict visitor access to the route, and the Hawaii Department of Transportation has hinted at future infrastructure improvements (like guardrails, signage, and speed control) to address the ongoing risk. Until then, it remains a notoriously dangerous drive, where minor misjudgments can have catastrophic outcomes.

4. Kaahumanu Avenue & Puunene Avenue, Kahului – Maui

According to Maui County Police data, Kaahumanu Avenue at Puunene Avenue has been identified as one of Maui’s most dangerous intersections, a designation that reflects both its high collision frequency and the severity of outcomes. This busy crossroads handles heavy shopping and commuter traffic, with drivers frequently seen distracted or rushing. The resulting combination of tight sightlines and complex left turns creates recurring hazards for all road users.

Collision breakdown (2023–2025):

• Multi‑vehicle crashes: Numerous incidents were reported in 2024 and 2025, including a serious two-car collision in August 2024 that blocked the intersection and injured multiple people.
• Motorcycle fatality: In March 2025, a motorcyclist lost his life on West Kaahumanu Avenue, just blocks from the junction
• Pedestrian fatalities: A 2022 incident involved two vehicles striking a pedestrian near the intersection, resulting in a fatality

Unique hazards:

• Heavy shopping corridor traffic, with frequent stops and starts near retail centers.
• Distracted drivers, often managing GPS, phone, or navigation devices while in motion.
• Poor left-turn visibility leading to angle crashes as turning vehicles misjudge the oncoming flow.
• High pedestrian volumes, especially during store peak hours, crossing without complete signal protection.
• Limited traffic signal timing pressures drivers into rushed decisions and unsafe maneuvers.

Nestled within Kahului’s primary commercial district, this intersection is near the Kahului Shopping Center, major grocery stores, fast-food outlets, and municipal bus stops. It also links key commuter routes like Route 380 and connects local workers and shoppers to the airport corridor via Puunene Avenue. With such a mix of vehicle types, turning movements, and pedestrian activity, Kaahumanu & Puunene is a critical focus area for Maui’s growing traffic safety initiatives.

5. Queen Ka‘ahumanu Highway & Palani Road, Kailua‑Kona – Big Island

Queen Ka‘ahumanu Highway’s intersection with Palani Road is widely recognized as the Big Island’s busiest signalized junction. It is frequently cited for dangerous side-impact and rollover crashes.

Positioned between rural highway stretches and bustling commercial zones, this crossing merges fast-moving traffic with heavy turning demands, often exceeding the capacity of signal timing and lane design.

Collision breakdown (2022–2025):

• Side-impact collisions: Multiple reported in 2023, including a severe T-bone crash in March that critically injured a driver turning left
• Rollovers: At least two incidents in 2024, involving vehicles veering off the highway on wet pavement and overturning after abrupt swerves near the commercial frontage.
• High-severity crashes: In July 2025, a work truck collided with a sedan during a congested turn, causing multiple injuries and prompting a temporary shutdown for investigation.

Unique hazards:

• High-speed highway approaches meet stop-and-go commercial traffic.
• Inadequate signal timing, leading to risky left turns under duress.
• Heavy congestion, particularly during rush hours and tourist seasons.
• Mixed vehicle types, including trucks, rental cars, and local commuters.
• Limited turning lanes, forcing last-second merges, and increased side-impact risk.

Situated just outside downtown Kailua-Kona, this junction is a key gateway to strip malls, restaurants, schools, and tourist accommodations. Queen Ka‘ahumanu Highway (Route 19) transitions from open highway to dense commercial corridor, carrying traffic toward Keauhou, Kealekekua, and resorts down the Kona Coast. The area’s frequent congestion, heavy mixed-use traffic, and pressure on signal efficiency make Queen Ka‘ahumanu & Palani a top priority for future safety upgrades.

6. Kamehameha Highway & Likelike Highway, Kaneohe – Oahu

The intersection of Kamehameha Highway and Likelike Highway in Kaneohe is notorious for its high-speed side-impact crashes, particularly T-bone collisions resulting from complex merging conflicts. The design flaws at this junction, including highway-grade ramps and merging points, often lead to severe accidents. The high volume of vehicles transitioning between major arteries exacerbates the risk, making this intersection one of Oahu’s most dangerous.

Collision Breakdown (2021–2025):

• Fatal Crashes: In 2023, a 29-year-old man died in a single-vehicle crash on Likelike Highway, reportedly due to speed.
• Serious Injury Crashes: In 2020, two men died in a single-vehicle crash on Likelike Highway.
• High-Speed Collisions: In 2019, a 74-year-old man died after his SUV collided with a car stopped to let a fire truck pass.

Key Hazards:

• High-speed ramps and merging points increase the risk of side-impact collisions.
• Limited visibility for drivers navigating merges contributes to accidents.
• The intersection handles a significant volume of vehicles transitioning between major highways.

This intersection is a critical junction for commuters traveling between Kaneohe and Honolulu. The area’s infrastructure, including the H-3 Freeway and Likelike Highway, has been subject to various upgrades and closures to address safety concerns over the years. Despite these efforts, high-speed traffic, complex merging patterns, and limited visibility continue to pose significant risks to drivers and pedestrians alike.

7. H-1 Freeway (Middle Street Merge), Honolulu – O‘ahu

The Middle Street merge on the H-1 Freeway is frequently referred to as the most notorious traffic bottleneck in Hawai‘i, and with good reason: it’s also one of the state’s deadliest stretches. Here, drivers from H-1, H-201 (Moanalua Freeway), and Nimitz Highway all converge in a high-speed, high-stress funnel where lane weaving, sudden braking, and aggressive merging are constant.

Recent crash history underscores its risks: In June 2023, a multi-vehicle pileup involving four cars left two people critically injured. In October 2024, a motorcyclist was killed after colliding with a vehicle during rush-hour merging. And in March 2025, another three-car crash sent one vehicle rolling onto its side, shutting down lanes for hours.

Collision Breakdown (2023–2025):

• Fatal crashes: At least 2, including a motorcyclist in Oct 2024
• Multi-vehicle pileups: Several, with 3+ cars involved in chain-reaction crashes
• Rollover incidents: 1 central rollover in March 2025

Key Hazards:

• Multiple highways converge at high speeds, forcing rapid lane changes
• Extreme congestion during rush hours, with sudden stops and rear-end risks
• Aggressive merging and weaving behavior under pressure
• Limited shoulder space for breakdowns or emergency maneuvers

As one of the busiest freeway junctions in Hawai‘i, the Middle Street merge is unavoidable for thousands of daily commuters. Despite periodic DOT projects to ease bottlenecks, its speed, volume, and driver stress make it a repeat site for serious accidents.

8. Pi‘ilani Highway (Route 31), Kihei – Maui

Pi‘ilani Highway, which runs through Kihei and South Maui, has emerged as a hot spot for severe crashes, particularly at poorly designed intersections where fast highway traffic meets residential and resort access roads. Locals and Maui police often cite it as one of the most dangerous corridors on the island.

In April 2023, a fatal head-on collision occurred when a driver crossed the center line near Lipoa Street. In November 2024, another deadly crash at the Kaonoulu Street junction involved a speeding vehicle colliding with a turning car. And in January 2025, a pedestrian was killed crossing mid-block near a residential neighborhood without adequate lighting.

Collision Breakdown (2023–2025):

• Fatal crashes: At least 3, including two head-ons and one pedestrian fatality
• Serious injuries: Multiple high-speed side-impact collisions near side streets
• Crash frequency: Several major incidents per year, often at night or in wet conditions

Key Hazards:

• Highway-speed traffic running through a rapidly urbanizing corridor
• Poorly lit intersections and mid-block crossings create dangers for pedestrians
• Limited turning lanes and sudden braking for left turns
• A mix of commuters, tourists, and delivery trucks leads to unpredictable driving patterns

Pi‘ilani Highway (Route 31) serves as the primary artery for South Maui, connecting Kihei, Wailea, and Makena. Rapid growth in the area has outpaced infrastructure, leaving residents concerned about recurring tragedies. Planned widening and safety upgrades are in discussion, but until then, Pi‘ilani remains a corridor where fast-moving vehicles and community growth collide with deadly results.

Get the Support of a Trusted Hawaii Personal Injury Lawyer

If you or a loved one has been involved in a serious crash at any of these dangerous intersections in Hawaii, it’s crucial to have experienced legal support on your side.

Local Accident Reports connects you with trusted local attorneys who understand the complexities of traffic laws and can help you seek the compensation you deserve. Don’t face the aftermath alone; reach out today at 1 (888) 657‑1460 to find the right lawyer for your case and start moving toward recovery with confidence.