4 June 2024
A Waikōloa man is dead and two young children were treated for injuries following a single-vehicle crash in South Kohala early this morning.
Hawai‘i Island police responded to a call about the crash at 1:34 a.m. on Waikōloa Road near mile marker 5. Through the course of their investigation, officers learned that a driver, later identified as Samiu Kealoha Kama Olevao, traveling mauka in a silver 1998 Lexus ES300 sedan, failed to negotiate a right turn, causing him to cross the double solid yellow lines.
After crossing the center line, police say the vehicle went off the makai shoulder of the road, rolled several times, and landed on a rock embankment. The driver was ejected from the vehicle as it rolled.
Police say Olevao was not wearing his seat belt. He was transported to Kona Community Hospital and was pronounced dead at 9:09 a.m.
Two girls, ages 4 and 3, were found inside the vehicle and taken to North Hawaii Community Hospital for medical attention. Both children received treatment and were later discharged.
Police believe that speed and impairment are factors in the crash.
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 Dayson Taniguchi at 808-326-4646 ext. 229 or email at [email protected].
This is the 19th traffic fatality this year compared to nine at this time last year.