The accident left four other people hospitalized with serious injuries.

Maui police were called at 9:18 p.m. to the scene on Honoapi'ilani Highway, 1.8 miles south of Olo Place.

A white 1991 Honda two-door sedan with five teenage boys ­ believed to have been driven by a 17-year-old Wailuku boy ­ was heading south on the highway when it crossed the center line and collided with a California couple's white 2001 Chevrolet Malibu in the northbound lane.

The Honda was torn in half and ended up in the Wailuku-bound lane, police said. The Chevrolet skidded to a halt off the eastern side of highway in a sugarcane field.

Two of the Honda passengers were dead at the scene. Police identified them as Kauilamakahikina Neula, 17, of Kihei, and 16-year-old Joshua Ayonayon of Wailuku. Three other boys in that car were taken to Maui Memorial Medical Center and one, age 17, died there. His name was not released last night.

Another 17-year-old boy remained last night in critical condition. The hospital's nursing supervisor said the final patient, a 14-year-old boy, was transported to O'ahu to Tripler Army Medical Center. His condition was not available last night.

It was unknown whether those in the Honda were wearing seatbelts, said police, who also are investigating whether speed, drugs or alcohol were factors.

The driver of the Chevrolet, a 54-year-old man from Poway, Calif., and his 51-year-old wife, sustained what police described as multiple traumatic injuries and also were taken to Maui Memorial. Hospital officials last night would say only that they were stable.They were both wearing seatbelts.

The accident brings the Maui County fatality total to 15, compared to 17 at this time last year.