Suspected DUI Leaves One Dead, Child Injured in South Kona Collision

A single-vehicle collision has left a teenager from Ocean View dead.

The victim has been positively identified as Alona Taetuna-Kaluau. He died on Friday, May 21, on Highway 11, approximately 0.1 mile south of the 95-mile maker in South Kona.

Responding to an 8:26 p.m. call, police determined that a black 2007 Chevrolet Silverado pick-up truck was heading south when it lost control and drove off of the right (Makai) shoulder of the roadway. The pick-up then struck a tree and rolled over. The 18-year-old male passenger was transported to the Kona Community Hospital where he was later pronounced dead at 12:24 a.m.

The driver of the Chevrolet Silverado pick-up truck, 30-year-old Bruce Kuahapio Kahele, and a 6-year-old male passenger, both from Ocean View, were taken to the Kona Community Hospital for treatment.  The driver was treated and later released.  The 6-year-old remains at the Kona Community Hospital for observation.

Kahele was arrested for Negligent Homicide, Negligent Injury, Operating a Vehicle Under the Influence of an Intoxicant (OVUII), Reckless Endangering and Child Restraint violation.  He is currently being held at the Kona Cellblock pending further investigation.

Police believe that impairment is a factor in the collision. None of the occupants of the vehicle were wearing their seatbelts. An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.

The Area II Traffic Enforcement Unit has initiated a Negligent Homicide investigation and is asking for anyone who may have witnessed the accident to contact Officer Jason Foxworthy at 808-326-4646, ext. 229, or via email at Jason.foxworthy@hawaiicounty.gov.

This is the 11th traffic fatality this year compared to eight at this time last year.