5-16-24 Police Investigate Motorcycle Traffic Fatality in Ka’u
Hawai‘i Police Department
Traffic Enforcement Unit
Sergeant Thomas Koyanagi
Phone: (808) 326-4646, Ext. 229
Report No. 24-045278
Media Release
A 59-year old Ocean View man died in a single vehicle collision that occurred on Thursday, May 16, 2024. The incident took place at the intersection of Mamalahoa Highway (Highway 11) and Leilani Street which is located in Kau, Hawaii.
The 59-year old motorcycle rider victim remains unidentified at this time, pending positive identification and notification of next of kin.
Responding to a call at 5:37 p.m., police investigation revealed that a green 2022 Kawasaki KLX300 traveling south had overtaken several vehicles near the Manuka State Park entrance. After passing the vehicles, the motorcycle was observed crossing over the double solid yellow lines and struck a rock embankment on the mauka side of the highway. The rider was ejected from the motorcycle. The 59-year-old male rider was transported to the Kona Community Hospital and was pronounced dead at 10:30 p.m.
The Area II Traffic Enforcement Unit has initiated a traffic investigation and is asking for anyone who may have witnessed the collision to contact Officer Adam Roberg at (808) 326-4646 ext. 229 or email at adam.roberg@hawaiicounty.gov.
This is the 18th traffic fatality this year compared to 8 at this time last year.
