SUV hits tree; Occupants injured, including several keiki, 3 of whom in critical condition

A single-vehicle crash the morning of June 21 injured all of the vehicle’s occupants, including 3 children in critical condition, and temporarily closed down Kaumualiʻi Highway in Waimea.

Kauaʻi Police Department reports that a compact SUV with 6 people inside was traveling east at about 10:30 a.m. on Kaumualiʻi Highway when it crossed the center line and hit a tree in the shoulder on the opposite side of the highway.

First responders upon arriving at the scene located the 29-year-old Kekaha woman who was driving the SUV, who appeared to be unconscious, along with 5 children who also sustained injuries.

The driver was in critical condition and taken to Kaua‘i Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waimea before later being airlifted to The Queen’s Medical Center on O‘ahu.

Three of the children also were in critical condition and transferred to Kapiʻolani Medical Center on O‘ahu. The other 2 keiki were treated and released from Wilcox Medical Center in Līhuʻe.

Kaumualiʻi Highway was closed in both directions for about an hour and a half while Kauaʽi Police Department’s Traffic Safety Section investigated at the scene of the crash.

Speed and impairment do not appear to be contributing factors at this time; however, the investigation is ongoing.

Anyone who might have witnessed the crash is urged to call Officer Himongala at 808-241-1617.

Those who want to remain anonymous can provide information by calling Crime Stoppers Kauaʻi at 808-246-8300 or submitting a tip at on the Crime Stoppers Kauaʻi website.

They can also use the Crime Stoppers Kauaʻi P3 Tips mobile app, which can be downloaded from the Apple Store and Google Play.