Hawaii Island police have recently reported a total of 23 DUI arrests for the week of Oct. 20 through Oct. 26, indicating a consistent vigilance against impaired driving. In a recent release of data, none of the drivers arrested were underage, and seven were implicated in traffic crashes during that period. Presenting a slight decrease from the previous year, Hawaii has witnessed 750 DUI arrests so far in 2025 versus the 797 during the same timeframe in 2024, which translates to a dip of 5.90 percent, as reported by the Hawai‘i Police Department.
When it comes to district-specific numbers, Kona topped the list with nine arrests out of the week's total, followed by Hilo with seven, and Puna witnessed five DUI arrests. Collectively, they contributed notably to the island's year-to-date count, with Kona reaching 290 and Hilo trailing at 246. Despite the decline in DUI arrests, the Island has experienced an uptick in major crashes, with 824 this year against last year's count of 809, marking an increase of 1.85 percent. These statistics include all updated crashes reviewed by the Hawai‘i Police Department’s Traffic Services Section.
Fatalities due to crashes present a silver lining, showing a decrease of 21.74 percent in fatal crashes, with 18 incidents resulting in 19 deaths this year compared to 23 fatal crashes leading to 25 fatalities during the same period in 2024. The year 2025 is also noted for having zero non-traffic related fatalities, maintaining the same count as the previous year. These details emerge in the wake of ongoing efforts to fortify road safety and reduce traffic-related deaths. Looking ahead, DUI checkpoints and patrols are set to remain a constant presence across the island.
