January 2, 2025 | Captain Cook, Hawai‘i

A 23-year-old Captain Cook man has been charged in connection with a New Year’s Day crash that claimed the life of a 52-year-old pedestrian.

The crash occurred just after midnight on January 1, 2025, in the 82-1000 block of Kinue Road, a residential area near the Captain Cook police substation.

According to police, Kelly Kaikili Losalio was driving a white 2018 Honda Accord eastbound when he struck Jelson Kainue Leslie, who had been setting up fireworks in the roadway to celebrate the New Year. Following the impact, Losalio’s vehicle collided with a parked 1998 Chevrolet pickup truck.

Leslie was transported to Kona Community Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 1:00 a.m.

Investigators determined that both speed and impairment were contributing factors in the crash. Losalio was arrested at the scene and has since been charged with operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant (OVUII) and negligent homicide.

His bail has been set at $10,500, and he is scheduled to appear in court on Thursday afternoon, January 2, at the Keahuolū Courthouse in Kailua-Kona.

Investigation Ongoing

The Area II Traffic Enforcement Unit continues to investigate the crash and is asking anyone who witnessed the incident to come forward. Witnesses can contact Officer Dayson Taniguchi at (808) 326-4646 ext. 229 or by email at dayson.taniguchi@hawaiicounty.gov. Anonymous tips can be submitted through Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300.

This incident marks the first traffic fatality of 2025, compared to none at this time last year.

No mugshot of Losalio was available at the time of this report.