A 19-year-old motorcyclist died in a head-on crash in North Kona

A 19-year-old Kailua-Kona motorcyclist was killed Friday evening in a two-vehicle crash on Queen Kaahumanu Highway in North Kona, Hawaii police said today.

According to a police report, at approximately 6:42 p.m., the man was riding a 2024 Kawasaki Ninja sports motorcycle, traveling south on the highway and “passing several vehicles at once” when he collided head-on with a 65-year-old 2021 Honda CR-V. Kamuela.

Police said he was transported to Kona Community Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 10:53 p.m. The driver of the Honda suffered minor injuries and was taken to North Hawaii Community Hospital and later released, he added.

Hawaii police said they have launched a coroner’s investigation and are asking witnesses to contact Officer Dayson Taniguchi at 326-4646, ext. 229 or [email protected]. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300.

This is the 28th traffic fatality on the Big Island this year, up from 15 this time last year.