Hilo Man Dies From Injuries in July Motorcycle Crash

A 55-year-old Hilo man has died from injuries sustained in a crash between his motorcycle and a sedan on July 13.

Earl M. Arakaki was riding his 2007 Honda motorcycle north on Kino`ole Street when a woman southbound in a 2003 Honda sedan failed to yield the right of way and turned in front of him at the Mohouli Street intersection, police said today.

He was taken to Hilo Medical Center, where he died Sunday.

Arakaki was an agricultural research technician for the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources at the University of Hawai`i.

The incident occurred at about 10 p.m. Police said Arakaki was not wearing a helmet.

The driver of the sedan, a 67-year-old Kailua-Kona resident, was not injured.

An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.

Police said it is not yet known whether speed, alcohol or drugs were involved.

Anyone with information on the crash is asked to call Officer Tuckloy Aurello at 961-8119.

Police said because Arakaki died more than 31 days after the incident, his death is not included in the island’s official traffic fatality count.