An 18-year-old Honaunau man has been arrested for negligent homicide after a head-on crash Sunday afternoon, February 25, 2024, in Honaunau left a 49-year-old Kailua-Kona man dead.
At 2:13 p.m., police responded to a traffic collision involving two vehicles below the intersection of Ke Ala O Keawe Road and Honaunau Road, near the 1.5-mile marker. Investigators determined that a brown 2013 Chevrolet Tahoe SUV, operated by 18-year-old Keawemauhili Iolanikealoha Navas-Loa of Honaunau, was traveling east (mauka) when it crossed the double solid yellow lines and struck a gray 2003 Honda Accord sedan head-on.
The driver of the Honda Accord, Jerome “Tabu” Chadallen Kahoalii Heath of Kailua-Kona, was transported to the Kona Community Hospital where he was later pronounced dead at 7:59 p.m.
Two minor children within the Honda Accord, Heath’s 10-year-old son and 7-year-old daughter, were transported to Kona Community Hospital for medical attention and were later discharged after being treated.
Navas-Loa was arrested for second-degree negligent homicide and was later released pending further investigation.
The Area II Traffic Enforcement Unit has initiated a Negligent Homicide investigation and is asking for anyone who may have witnessed the collision to contact Officer Ansel Robinson at (808) 326-4646, ext. 229, or email at ansel.robinson@hawaiicounty.gov. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300.
This is the 6th traffic fatality this year compared to 4 at this time last year.