Hawaiʻi Police Department
Traffic Enforcement Unit, Area II
Sergeant Thomas Koyanagi
Phone: (808) 326-4646 ext. 229
Report No. 20-017252
Media Release
A 48-year-old Waikoloa man was killed following a three-vehicle collision on Friday (February 28) on Waikoloa Road, .1 miles east (mauka) of the 2-mile marker.
The 48 year-old male driver has been identified as Wayne Lopaka Keikekanehaenalu Awai.
Responding to a 7:01 p.m. call, police determined that a white 1990 Isuzu pickup being operated by the 48-year-old Waikoloa man crossed the double solid yellow lines and sideswiped a westbound (Makai) white 2018 Jeep Wrangler that was being operated by a 63-year-old male from California. The white Isuzu pick then struck a second vehicle head-on which was a blue 2015 Mazda 6 sedan that was being operated by a 36-year-old female from Kailua-Kona. The 36-year-old female was transported to North Hawaiʻi Community Hospital for treatment. The white 2018 Jeep Wrangler also had a 53-year-old female passenger from California. The 53-year-old female passenger and the 63-year-old male driver of the Jeep were not injured in the collision. The 48-year-old male driver of the Isuzu was transported to the Kona Hawaiʻi Community Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 10:48 p.m.
Police do not believe speed is a factor in the collision.
The Traffic Enforcement Unit has initiated a Coroner’s Inquest investigation and is asking for anyone who may have witnessed the collision to contact Officer Kimo Keliipaakaua at (808) 326-4646 ext. 229.
This is the 6th traffic fatality this year compared to 2 at this time last year.