A 19-year-old male from Kailua-Kona died in a two-vehicle collision that occurred on Friday, November 22, 2024. The incident took place on the Queen Kaahumanu Highway (Highway 19) at the 84-mile marker in North Kona, Hawaii.
The 19-year-old male rider has not been positively identified, pending notification of the next of kin.
At approximately 6:42 p.m., police responded to a call regarding a serious collision. An investigation revealed that a green 2024 Kawasaki Ninja sport bike, traveling southbound, was overtaking multiple vehicles simultaneously when it collided head-on with a silver 2021 Honda CR-V driven by a 65-year-old female from Kamuela. The 19-year-old male rider of the Kawasaki was transported to Kona Community Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased at 10:53 p.m.
The 65-year-old female driver of the Honda suffered minor injuries in the collision. She was transported to the North Hawai’i Community Hospital for initial treatment and was later released.
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 dayson.taniguchi@hawaiicounty.gov. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo.
This is the 28th traffic fatality this year compared to 15 at this time last year.