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Motorcyclist dies in collision with horse 01-26-04

HAWAII COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT
TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT UNIT
SERGEANT LEROY D. VICTORINO
PHONE: 961-2332
JANUARY 26, 2004

MEDIA RELEASE

A 48-year-old motorcyclist was killed early Monday (January 26, 2004) when his motorcycle struck a horse in South Kona.

The motorcyclist was identified as William K. Kaniho, of the Hawaiian Ocean View Estates subdivision in Ka’u.

Responding to a 3:40 a.m. call, Kona patrol officers determined that Kaniho was riding a 1989 Suzuki motorcycle south on Hawaii Belt Road (Route 11) when he struck a large white horse on the roadway at about the 85-mile marker in Honomalino, South Kona.

Kaniho was taken to the Kona Community Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 7:30 a.m. Traffic Enforcement Unit officers are continuing an investigation into the case and have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of Kaniho’s death.

The horse had to be put to sleep by a veterinarian.

Kaniho’s death was the first traffic fatality on the Big Island so far this year, compared to two for the same period last year.

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