A late night ride on Pūlehu Road has turned deadly for a Kula man, with Maui police saying alcohol is considered a factor in the single-vehicle crash.
The rider, identified as 55-year-old Bryan Rhoades of Kula, was thrown from his scooter and later died at Maui Memorial Medical Center on June 6. He had been hospitalized for several days after the collision.
According to Maui County, the crash was reported at 12:24 a.m. on Monday, June 1, about 300 feet north of ʻOmaʻopio Road in Kahului. A preliminary investigation found that a black 2006 Honda Ruckus traveling northbound veered off the roadway and hit a tree, ejecting the operator. Rhoades was taken to Maui Memorial Medical Center for treatment.
As reported by Maui Now, Rhoades later succumbed to his injuries on Saturday, June 6. Police said he was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. Investigators have not yet determined whether speed or drugs were factors, and the case remains under investigation.
Investigation and next steps
Police say alcohol is considered a factor in the collision, but toxicology results and any potential charges will depend on follow-up testing and review, the department said in its Maui County release. The Maui Police Department extended its condolences to Rhoades' family and friends.
Rider safety and local context
MPD noted Rhoades was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, a detail that lines up with long-standing safety research. According to the CDC, which summarizes National Highway Traffic Safety Administration findings, helmets reduce the risk of fatal injury by roughly 37% and can cut the risk of serious head injury by about 69%.
Maui Now also noted this was Maui County’s fourth traffic fatality of 2026, compared with 11 at the same point last year, a sobering reminder of how quickly a late night ride can turn tragic.
