Hele-On bus rolls backward in Pāhala, shears utility pole in half

A disabled Hele-On bus in Pāhala rolled backward into a utility pole Thursday, shearing it in half and damaging attached wires on Kamani Street. The collision happened at 12:42 p.m. and left Hawaiian Electric crews replacing the pole and working to restore power.

Hawaii County police said the bus was traveling westbound when the driver pulled onto the shoulder because of mechanical trouble. The driver, a 53-year-old Hilo man, told investigators he was trying to deal with the problem with a mechanic when the bus began rolling backward. Police said he could not stop it because the brakes were not working.

No passengers were on board, and the driver was not injured. The crash involved a county Hele-On bus, part of the Hawaii County Mass Transit Agency’s fixed-route system, which runs countywide on Hawaii Island and includes routes that operate seven days a week. In a place like Pāhala, where bus service can be a crucial link to work, school and medical appointments across Kaū, a breakdown can quickly become a broader transportation problem.

The damage went beyond the bus itself. The impact brought down or compromised utility infrastructure at the roadside, and Hawaiian Electric reminded the public that downed or damaged lines should be treated as energized and dangerous. The utility says people should stay at least 30 feet away from downed power lines and assume they are live.

The incident also underscored how quickly a mechanical failure can ripple through a small community. In rural parts of Hawaii Island, there may be few alternate routes and limited backup transportation when a bus is pulled out of service. A single disabled vehicle can delay riders, disrupt schedules and create added strain for residents who depend on public transit to get through the day.

Police said the crash remains under investigation. Anyone with information was asked to contact Hawaii County police at the non-emergency line or speak with Officer Israel Mata.