Available 
Honolulu, HI (July 16, 2026) – A motorcyclist died on Tuesday afternoon, July 14, after being struck by a vehicle making a U-turn on Kapiolani Boulevard near Mahiai Street in the Moiliili neighborhood. The crash was reported at approximately 3:15 p.m.
A 67-year-old male driver was traveling westbound on Kapiolani Boulevard when he made a U-turn and was struck by Kenneth Calimpong, 51, who was also heading westbound on his motorcycle. Calimpong was ejected from the road and taken to the hospital in critical condition, where he later died. He was wearing a helmet at the time of the wreck.
Police said speed does not appear to be a contributing factor. Whether drugs or alcohol played a role in the accident remains unknown as of this report.
The collision is still under active review. We extend our sincere condolences to the family of Kenneth Calimpong.
What Happens When a Vehicle Makes a U-Turn in Front of a Motorcyclist?
U-turns on busy urban boulevards create sudden, unexpected obstacles for drivers and riders traveling in the same direction. A vehicle reversing course must cross the path of any traffic behind it, and a motorcyclist approaching from the rear may have very little time to react when a car turns directly into their path. Unlike an intersection where cross traffic is somewhat anticipated, a U-turn in a travel lane can catch a following driver entirely off guard.
Ejection from a motorcycle following a collision significantly increases the risk of serious or fatal injury, even when the rider is wearing a helmet. A helmet protects the head from direct impact, but cannot prevent the body from absorbing the force of striking the road surface or other objects after being thrown from the bike. The distance and trajectory of ejection depend on the motorcycle’s speed and the angle at which contact occurred.
U-turn restrictions on certain roads exist precisely because this maneuver poses a hazard to other users. Investigators reviewing a crash caused by a U-turn typically examine whether the maneuver was legal at that location, whether the driver checked for approaching traffic before turning, and what visibility conditions were like at the time of the collision.
