Kaneohe, HI – Woman Hurt in Collision in Harano Tunnel on H-3 Fwy

Kaneohe, HI (June 7, 2025) — A severe crash inside the Harano Tunnel brought westbound traffic on the H-3 Freeway to a standstill on Friday afternoon, June 6, after a car became lodged beneath a large roll-off dumpster truck.

According to emergency officials, the incident occurred shortly after 2:00 p.m. when a 71-year-old woman, traveling westbound through the tunnel, rear-ended a slow-moving dump truck operated by a 49-year-old man. The impact caused the front of her car to slide under the container at the back of the truck, pinning her inside the vehicle.

The crash happened in the shoulder lane of the tunnel. Firefighters with the Honolulu Fire Department responded quickly, working to free the woman from the mangled car. She was then transported to a nearby hospital in critical condition.

The truck driver and his 59-year-old passenger were not injured and remained at the scene to cooperate with authorities.

The crash led to a complete closure of westbound lanes around 2:30 p.m., causing major delays for Friday afternoon commuters. All lanes were reopened shortly after 7:00 p.m. once the scene was cleared.

At this time, investigators do not believe speed, impairment, or intoxication played a role in the collision. The exact cause remains under review.

We hope for the full recovery of the injured victim.

Kaneohe Car Accidents

If you’ve been hurt in a car accident in Kaneohe, you and your family may be entitled to pursue compensation for both economic losses—such as medical bills and lost wages—and non-economic damages like pain and suffering. However, it’s important to act quickly: Hawaii law sets a two-year statute of limitations from the date of your crash for filing personal injury claims. Keep in mind that most insurance companies expect you to report your claim promptly, often within just a few days.

Navigating the complexities of Hawaii’s car insurance laws requires an experienced attorney familiar with local regulations. A skilled Kaneohe car accident lawyer can help identify additional avenues for compensation, such as uninsured motorist coverage if the at-fault driver lacks insurance, or underinsured motorist coverage if their insurance isn’t sufficient to cover your damages.

Hawaii is a no-fault insurance state with a tort threshold, meaning you can only file a lawsuit against a negligent driver if:

• Your medical expenses and related damages exceed $5,000, or
• You have suffered serious or permanent injuries, such as loss of bodily function, amputation, or disfigurement.

This threshold applies to injury claims, but there is no such limit when filing lawsuits for property damage. Nonetheless, the two-year filing deadline and prompt insurance reporting rules still apply for property damage claims.

At Leavitt, Yamane & Soldner, we understand how devastating car accident injuries can be, especially in Kaneohe. Our dedicated team is committed to fighting for your rights and holding responsible parties accountable. If you or a loved one has been injured in a Kaneohe motor vehicle collision, call us at 808-537-2525 for a free consultation. Let us help you secure the justice and compensation you deserve so you can focus on recovery.

Notes: Our team of writers uses secondary sources such as news reports and local and state police incident reports to create these posts. We have not independently verified all of the facts surrounding this particular accident, so if there is any incorrect information, please contact Leavitt, Yamane & Soldner right away so that we can update the post to reflect the most accurate information available. 

Disclaimer: This post is not a solicitation for business. None of the information in this post is intended to be legal advice or medical advice. If you are injured in an accident, seek medical assistance immediately.