Hawaii Island Boy, 13, Dies After Single-Car Crash in Pahala

A 13-year-old boy named Kainui Kaupu-Manini of Pāhala died after crashing the car he was driving on Cane Haul Road in Pāhala, Hawaii. The single-vehicle collision occurred when the 2006 Honda Civic he was driving left the roadway, went down an embankment, and struck a large tree. A 15-year-old passenger was uninjured, but neither occupant was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash. Kainui was transported to Ka‘ū Community Hospital and pronounced dead shortly after arrival. This incident marks the 16th traffic fatality on Hawaiʻi Island in 2025, down from 22 at the same time last year. Authorities have launched a coroner’s inquest investigation and are seeking witnesses, emphasizing that licensed driving permits in Hawaii start at age 15½ with restrictions, highlighting that Kainui was underage to be driving alone according to local regulations.