Victim in fatal weekend Ka‘ū car crash identified

A Big Island man who died following a single vehicle collision Aug. 13 in Ka‘ū has been identified as 30-year-old Koa Kane Clark of Waikōloa.

Clark was pronounced dead at 1:18 a.m. Aug. 14 after being transported to Kona Community Hospital. He was ejected from the black 2008 Mercedes-Benz 280 convertible he was driving after it lost control, drove at a high rate of speed off the roadway and struck the rock wall sign fronting the Manuka State Recreational Park entrance near the 81.2-mile marker in Ka‘ū.

Police responded to the scene after receiving a call shortly after 8 p.m. Aug. 13.

A 25-year-old Kailua-Kona man, who was a passenger in the vehicle at the time of the crash, was also taken to Kona Community Hospital for treatment. He is listed in stable condition.

Police think speed and impairment are factors in the crash. Clark was not wearing his seat-belt at the time of the collision.

An autopsy was ordered to determine Clark’s exact cause of death.

This is the 11th traffic fatality of 2023 compared to 25 by this time last year.

The Hawai‘i Police Department’s Area II Traffic Enforcement Unit initiated a coroner’s inquest investigation and asks anyone who might have witnessed the crash to contact Officer Adam Roberg at 808-326-4646, ext. 229, or via email at adam.roberg@hawaiicounty.gov.

Those who prefer to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 808-961-8300.