A 19-year-old motorcyclist is in critical condition after a Saturday night collision on Malakeke Street in Waipahu. The rider, who was thrown from his electric motorcycle, was taken by Emergency Medical Services to a nearby hospital, and police said he had not been wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.
According to the Honolulu Police Department, the crash happened at about 7:15 p.m. A 44-year-old man driving westbound reportedly pulled into the eastbound lane to pass another vehicle and struck the motorcyclist. Police said the driver and his juvenile passenger were not hurt and stayed at the scene. Investigators believe speed played a role and are still working to determine whether drugs or alcohol were factors.
The collision was also covered by the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, which noted the rider may have suffered a head injury. An earlier crash-timing report, citing KHON2 and KITV coverage obtained by Hoodline, placed the impact between approximately 6:45 and 7 p.m., though police records list the time as roughly 7:15 p.m.
HPD Steps Up E-Bike Crackdown
HPD has been ramping up enforcement on e-bikes and high-powered electric motorcycles in recent weeks amid growing worries about risky riding on neighborhood streets. In a Nov. 11 operation in Kapolei and ʻEwa, District 8 support units issued 16 citations, handed out nine warnings and recovered six illegal e-dirt bikes, the department said, as part of a broader push to keep traffic under control.
City Council Targets Street Stunts
Those stepped-up enforcement efforts follow action by the Honolulu City Council, which in March approved an ordinance that bans wheelies by e-bikes and motorcycles. Supporters said the move was meant to curb dangerous stunts on public roads. Officials argue that clearer rules combined with active enforcement are key tools to cut down on crashes and serious injuries…