HAWAII POLICE DEPARTMENT
TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT UNIT
SERGEANT CHRISTOPHER D. GALI
PHONE: 961-2332
JUNE 1, 2007
REPORT NO. C07017617

MEDIA RELEASE

A 49-year-old Volcano man died Friday (June 1) from injuries he sustained in a two-vehicle crash on the Hawaii Belt Road (Route 11), .2 miles west of the 67-mile marker in the Kiolokaa area of the Ka'u District.

The victim was identified as Allen Yau Chuck Kahawaii of Volcano.

Responding to a 4:13 p.m. call, Ka'u patrol officers determined that the victim was operating a 1986 American multi-purpose vehicle and traveling east on the Hawaii Belt Road when he lost control, crossed the centerline and collided with a 2003 Ford passenger van traveling west.

The victim was transported by Fire Rescue personnel to the Ka'u Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 5:40 p.m.

The driver of the Ford van, a 30-year-old Hilo woman was transported by private vehicle to Hilo Medical Center where she was treated and released with minor injuries.  The Ford van also contained eight Japanese tourists. Seven of the passengers were also transported to the Ka'u Hospital and treated and released with minor injuries.

It is unknown at this time if alcohol or drugs were involved. It appears that speed and the wet roadway played a factor in this crash. Both drivers were wearing their seatbelts.

Traffic Enforcement Unit officers have initiated a standard negligent homicide investigation and have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.

This is the 15^th traffic fatality on the Big Island this year compared to fourteen at the same time last year.

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