(Update) Police Identify Cyclist Killed in Pahoa Traffic Crash

Police have identified the bicyclist who passed away from a fatal traffic collision Monday evening, December 30, 2024, in Pāhoa as 58-year-old James M. Cordova of Pāhoa.

Responding to the collision at 7:57 p.m., police investigators determined that a 2018 Volkswagen GTI sedan, operated by 36-year-old Michael L. Richardson of Pāhoa, was traveling east on Kahakai Boulevard just west of Olao Street, when it struck Cordova on a blue mountain bike as he was also traveling east in the east-bound lane of Kahakai Boulevard.

Cordova was unresponsive at the scene and transported to the Hilo Benioff Medical Center via ambulance where he was pronounced deceased at 8:55 p.m. An autopsy has been ordered to determine the cause of death.

Richardson was arrested for:

• First-degree negligent homicide
• Operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant
• No motor vehicle insurance policy

After conferral with the County Prosecutor’s Office, Richardson was released pending further investigation and results of toxicology tests.

The East Hawaii Traffic Enforcement Unit is asking for anyone who may have witnessed the traffic collision or has information to contact Officer Jerome Duarte at (808) 961-2339 or via email at Jerome.Duarte@hawaiicounty.gov. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300.

This was the 29th traffic fatality on Hawai‘i Island in 2024 compared to 15 at the same time frame in 2023.