Hawaiʻi Police Department
Kona Patrol
Acting Sergeant Justin Hooser
Phone: 326-4646, Ext. 229
Report No. C15004886
Media Release (update)
Police have identified three people who died in a traffic crash Saturday morning in Kailua-Kona near the Hina Lani/Queen Kaʻahumanu Highway intersection.
They were identified through dental records Thursday morning as 18-year-old Keliiokahonua Sadumiano of Ocean View, 17-year-old Kaela Avanilla of Kailua-Kona and 17-year-old Phoenix Hauanio of Kailua-Kona.
Autopsies conducted Wednesday (February 18) determined that all three died from injuries caused by a traffic crash.
In response to a 5:17 a.m. call Saturday (February 14), Kona Patrol officers determined that a Nissan pickup truck driven by a 39-year-old Kailua-Kona man was traveling north on Queen Kaʻahumanu Highway when a southbound Kia SUV driven by Sadumiano collided with the truck, causing the Kia to catch fire.
The driver of the truck was taken to Kona Community hospital, where he remains in stable condition.
Sadumiano, Avanilla, who was the Kia’s front-seat passenger, and Hauanio,who was the Kia’s back-seat passenger on the driver’s side, died at the scene. Another passenger, a 17-year-old Kailua-Kona girl, was able to exit the Kia. She was taken to Kona Community hospital, where she remains in stable condition.
Toxicology results are pending and it is not yet known if drugs or alcohol were factors in the crash. Police have determined, however, that speed was a factor.
Police continue to investigate this case as three negligent homicides. They ask anyone who may have witnessed the crash to call Officer Justin Hooser or Officer Kimo Keliipaakaua at 326-4646, extension 229.
Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call the islandwide Crime Stoppers number at 961-8300. Crime Stoppers doesn’t record calls or subscribe to caller ID. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.