(Update) Driver in Captain Cook Fatal Crash Charged

Hawai‘i Island police have charged the driver of a vehicle involved in a fatal traffic collision that killed a 52-year-old Captain Cook man with operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant (OVUII) and negligent homicide. The crash occurred at 12:02 a.m. on January 1, 2025, in the 82-1000 block of Kinue Road, a residential area mauka of the Captain Cook police substation.

Police investigators determined that a white 2018 Honda Accord, operated by 23-year-old Kelly Kaikili Losalio, of Captain Cook, was traveling eastbound on Kinue Road when he struck Jelson Kainue Leslie who had been setting up fireworks on the roadway in celebration of the new year.

After striking Leslie, the Honda collided with a parked white 1998 Chevrolet pickup truck. Leslie was transported to the Kona Community Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased at 1:00 a.m. Losalio was arrested on suspicion of operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant (OVUII) and negligent homicide.  

Preliminary findings suggested that both speed and impairment contributed to the collision.

After conferral with the County Prosecutor’s Office, police charged Losalio with operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant (OVUII) and negligent homicide. His bail is currently set at $10,500 and he is scheduled to make his first court appearance Thursday afternoon, January 2, at the Keahuolū Courthouse in Kailua-Kona.

The Area II Traffic Enforcement Unit has initiated a negligent homicide investigation and is asking for anyone who may have witnessed the collision to contact Officer Dayson Taniguchi at 326-4646 ext. 229 or email at dayson.taniguchi@hawaiicounty.gov. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300.

This was the 1st traffic fatality of 2025 compared to 0 at this time last year.

**Mugshot of Losalio is not available at this time.