Hawaiʻi Police Department
Traffic Enforcement Unit (TEU), Area II
Sergeant Thomas Koyanagi
Phone: (808) 326-4646 ext. 229
Media Release
A 28-year-old Kailua-Kona woman died following a two-vehicle collision on Tuesday (November 19) on Highway 11, .1 miles south of the 118-mile marker. The 28-year-old female has been identified as Shelby Ho’okahi.
Responding to a 5:52 a.m. call, police determined that a 28-year-old female was operating a brown 2018 KIA Optima 4-door sedan when she crossed the double solid yellow lines and struck a southbound black 2010 Lexus SUV head-on that was being operated by a 65-year-old Kailua-Kona woman. The KIA also had a 3-year-old female child that was transported to the Kona Community Hospital for treatment and was later released. The 28-year-old female was transported to the Kona Community Hospital where she was later pronounced dead at 6:30 a.m..
The female was not wearing her seatbelt at the time of the crash.
The operator of the Lexus SUV was initially transported to Kona Community Hospital and was listed in critical condition. She was later transported to the Queens Medical Center on Oahu for further treatment. Her condition remains the same.
Police believe that speed and drugs are factors in the collision.
An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.
The Area II Traffic Enforcement Unit has initiated a Coroner’s Inquest investigation and is asking for anyone who may have witnessed the collision to contact Officer Jason Foxworthy at (808) 326-4646 ext. 229.
This is the 21st traffic fatality this year compared to 27 at this time last year.