Police: 13-year-old Big Island boy dies after crashing car into tree

A 13-year-old boy is dead after a single-vehicle crash in the Ka‘ū District.

The teen was identified as Kainui Kaupu-Manini of Pāhala.

Hawai‘i Island police responded to the deadly incident at 5:55 p.m. on Thursday that occurred on Cane Haul Road. Through the course of the investigation, officers learned Kainui was driving east in a blue 2006 Honda Civic when the vehicle left the roadway, went down an embankment, and struck a large tree.

A 15-year-old male passenger was also in the vehicle but was not injured. Police confirmed that neither occupant was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the collision.

The teen driver was transported to Ka‘ū Community Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 6:33 p.m.

The Area II Traffic Enforcement Unit has initiated a coroner’s inquest investigation. Police ask anyone who may have witnessed the collision to contact Officer Ansel Robinson at 808-326-4646, ext. 229, or via email at ansel.robinson@hawaiipolice.gov.

Tipsters who wish to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 808-961-8300.

This is the 16th traffic fatality this year compared to 22 at this time last year.