Police Ask For Public’s Assistance With Traffic Investigation

Big Island police are asking for help from the public in an investigation of an early Sunday morning, March 20, traffic incident in Hilo.

According to a media release from the Hawai‘i Police Department, police are trying to piece together what happened during an incident that occurred on Kalanikoa Street near the Kawamoto Swim Stadium. At about 12:48 a.m. Sunday, an officer was patrolling the area and came upon a male tending to a female on the ground near a vehicle in an apparent vehicle/pedestrian traffic accident.

Initial statements taken at the scene revealed that the male and female were traveling in a 2015 Nissan Armada on Kalanikoa Street, when the female jumped from the vehicle. According to the release, the couple, who reside in Hilo, were identified as 31-year-old Samson Manu-Olevao, who was the driver, and 32-year-old Wikolia Manu-Olevao, who was the apparent passenger in the vehicle.

Wikolia Manu-Olevao was taken to Hilo Medical Center for injuries and later transported to Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu for further treatment, where she remains in critical but stable condition.

Samson Manu-Olevao was arrested at the scene for negligent injury and was later released pending further investigation.

The East Hawai‘i Traffic Enforcement Unit and Juvenile Aid Section are continuing the investigation, which could include other criminal offenses being filed. The Traffic Enforcement Unit is asking the public for any additional information regarding what occurred in the incident.

Anyone who might have witnessed the incident or has information is urged to contact Sgt. Jeremy Riddle at 961-2391 or via email at Jeremy.Riddle@HawaiiCounty.gov. Tipsters who want to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300.