Fatal Crash Data

Fatal crashes in Hawaii County, Hawaii

In 2024, 29 people died in 26 fatal crashes in Hawaii County, Hawaii, up from 15 in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 244 fatal crashes and 263 deaths, the 2nd most of 4 counties in Hawaii.

13.8 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 7.1 across Hawaii in 2024; 13 against 7.2 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 209,790, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Hawaii.

Deaths in Hawaii County by year

102030201620182020202220242017: 352024: 29
YearFatal crashesDeaths
20242629
20231415
20223133
20212626
20201515
20192525
20183032
20173335
20162732
20151721

Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count

The deadliest roads in Hawaii County

State Highway 11 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Hawaii County from 2015 to 2024: 60, with 68 deaths. The 5 roads listed held 62% of all fatal crashes in Hawaii County from 2015 to 2024; 5 state highways. 71% of the county's fatal crashes were on an interstate, US or state route; the other 29% were on county roads and city streets. Routes are listed from 5 fatal crashes.

RoadFatal crashesDeaths2022 to 2024
1State Highway 11606815
2State Highway 19444813no page
3State Highway 19020227no page
4State Highway 13016173no page
5State Highway 20012124no page

Kailua Kona had 20% of the county's fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, 48 of 244.

Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Kailua Kona 48, Hilo 44, Captain Cook 21, Pahoa 16, Waikoloa Village 8, Keaau 6, Volcano 6, Kea`Au 6. The city is not filed for crashes outside a city.

Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count

When fatal crashes happen in Hawaii County

The heaviest slot is Friday, 4 to 8 pm, with 12 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 7 pm to 8 pm; the worst month is May.

Share of fatal crashes in Hawaii County, Hawaii by weekday and time of day, 2015 to 2024, in percent
Midnight to 44 to 8 am8 to noonNoon to 44 to 8 pm8 to midnight
Sun2.5 percent, 6 fatal crashes3.3 percent, 8 fatal crashes2.9 percent, 7 fatal crashes2.1 percent, 5 fatal crashes1.6 percent, 4 fatal crashes4.1 percent, 10 fatal crashes
Mon3.7 percent, 9 fatal crashes2.5 percent, 6 fatal crashes0.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes2.5 percent, 6 fatal crashes3.3 percent, 8 fatal crashes2.5 percent, 6 fatal crashes
Tue0.4 percent, 1 fatal crash1.6 percent, 4 fatal crashes2.1 percent, 5 fatal crashes2.1 percent, 5 fatal crashes2.9 percent, 7 fatal crashes2.5 percent, 6 fatal crashes
Wed0.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes3.3 percent, 8 fatal crashes1.6 percent, 4 fatal crashes2.5 percent, 6 fatal crashes1.6 percent, 4 fatal crashes2.1 percent, 5 fatal crashes
Thu2.1 percent, 5 fatal crashes2.5 percent, 6 fatal crashes1.6 percent, 4 fatal crashes2.9 percent, 7 fatal crashes2.9 percent, 7 fatal crashes3.3 percent, 8 fatal crashes
Fri0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes0.4 percent, 1 fatal crash1.2 percent, 3 fatal crashes0.4 percent, 1 fatal crash4.9 percent, 12 fatal crashes4.1 percent, 10 fatal crashes
Sat2.5 percent, 6 fatal crashes2.5 percent, 6 fatal crashes2.1 percent, 5 fatal crashes4.9 percent, 12 fatal crashes4.1 percent, 10 fatal crashes2.5 percent, 6 fatal crashes

By hour

By month

  • Jan9.8%
  • Feb8.2%
  • Mar10.7%
  • Apr7.0%
  • May11.1%
  • Jun9.0%
  • Jul5.7%
  • Aug7.8%
  • Sep6.6%
  • Oct8.6%
  • Nov9.4%
  • Dec6.1%

Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count

What fatal crashes in Hawaii County first hit

The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 43%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 26%, a pedestrian in 16%, a rollover in 7.8%.

First harmful eventFatal crashesShare
Collision with another vehicle10443%
Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch)6326%
Pedestrian4016%
Rollover197.8%
Cyclist93.7%
Other93.7%
Parked vehicle00.0%
Not reported00.0%

Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count

How fatal crashes in Hawaii County compare with Hawaii

The largest difference from Hawaii: from 2015 to 2024, 47% of fatal crashes in Hawaii County were on rural roads, against 17% across Hawaii. Also above the Hawaii share: unlit roads at night and drinking drivers. Below it: intersections and pedestrians. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of Hawaii. A share is only given over 20 crashes; above or below means more than chance would give on 244 crashes.

HawaiiHawaii
On rural roads47%17%above the Hawaii share
At or near an intersection18%25%below the Hawaii share
In the dark, road unlit31%19%above the Hawaii share
A drinking driver39%32%above the Hawaii share
Speeding50%44%about the same as the Hawaii share
A distracted driver (as recorded)29%24%about the same as the Hawaii share
Occupants killed unbelted46%52%about the same as the Hawaii share
Hit-and-run7.4%9.6%about the same as the Hawaii share
A motorcycle involved23%27%about the same as the Hawaii share
Pedestrians among the dead16%27%below the Hawaii share

Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count

Questions about fatal crashes in Hawaii County, Hawaii

How many people died in car accidents in Hawaii County in 2024?
29 people died in 26 fatal crashes in Hawaii County, Hawaii, in 2024, up from 15 in 2023. That is 13.8 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 7.1 across Hawaii. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
What is the deadliest road in Hawaii County?
State Highway 11 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Hawaii County from 2015 to 2024: 60, with 68 deaths.
When do fatal crashes in Hawaii County happen most often?
The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Friday, 4 to 8 pm, with 12 fatal crashes.
How many fatal crashes in Hawaii County involved a drinking driver?
96 of 244 fatal crashes in Hawaii County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 39%, against 32% across Hawaii.

Other counties in Hawaii with a page

All fatal crashes in Hawaii, with every county ranked.

Where the Hawaii County numbers come from

Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Hawaii County (county code 1). A fatal crash is one in which someone died within 30 days. The rate per 100,000 uses the Census Bureau's population estimate for the county; it is the only figure here not counted from FARS. Totals from state highway departments and news reports can differ: they count from their own crash reports, often before every death within 30 days is known, while NHTSA's file is checked against death certificates and revised once a year. The full method.

Download every county with a page as CSV. Free to reuse with credit: “Fatal Crash Data, fatalcrashdata.com/fatal-crashes/hawaii/hawaii-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”