A roadside showdown on Maui's famed Road to Hana has turned into a full-blown dispute, with tour operator Mahalo Tours calling a visiting family's accusations "lies" as police open a criminal investigation.
The company is firmly denying that one of its drivers slashed a tourist family's tire during a heated exchange near a popular snack stop. Maui police, meanwhile, have launched a disorderly conduct and criminal property-damage investigation and are asking anyone who saw what happened to come forward. Part of the clash was recorded by the family while they were stopped at Aunty Sandy's banana bread stand in Ke'anae.
What happened
According to Hawaii News Now, Joel and Debbie Ellison were traveling the Road to Hana with their children when they ended up behind a Mahalo Tours van. They later confronted the guide over what they described as reckless driving.
The Ellisons recorded part of that confrontation while parked at Aunty Sandy’s banana bread stand in Ke'anae and told the station that the passenger-side tire on their rental car was slashed during the incident. Maui police confirmed the tire was cut "by unknown means." Several passengers on the Mahalo Tours trip, however, have provided statements backing the driver.
Company response
Mahalo Tours acknowledges that its driver flashed an obscene hand gesture during the encounter and says he later expressed remorse for that moment. Beyond that, the company is pushing back hard on the rest of the story.
In a statement to Hawaii News Now, company representative Ronda Erwin labeled the family's accusations "lies" and said Mahalo Tours was trying to remain professional amid the controversy. The Ellisons, for their part, say the company's owners have not returned their calls and they reject the version of events offered by tour passengers.
Police probe
Maui police have opened an investigation into possible disorderly conduct and criminal property damage tied to the clash. Detectives are asking anyone with information to contact the department's Criminal Investigation Division through the non-emergency line at (808) 244-6400, as listed by the Maui County Police Department.
Authorities say the probe is active and ongoing. No charges have been announced.
Road to Hana context
The Road to Hana is a narrow, stop-and-go route that frequently clogs with traffic and pull-offs, a setup that can test the patience of locals, tour drivers and visitors alike. The Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority urges visitors to book permitted tours and follow a Road to Hāna code of conduct in hopes of cutting down on roadside drama.
The agency specifically warns against illegal parking and notes that violators can face fines or towing, another reminder of how quickly tensions along the storied highway can flare.
