Posted at 10:40 a.m., Friday, January 4, 2002

Hit-and-run driver sought in Waimanalo fatality

By Mike Gordon
Advertiser Staff Writer

Police gather information at the scene of a fatal hit-and-run accident this morning on Kalanianaole Highway near Humuniki Street in Waimanalo. Officers are looking for a black construction type pickup truck last seen heading toward Makapu'u. Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser

Police were searching today for the driver in a hit-and-run accident that killed a man this morning in Waimanalo.

The victim, whose name and exact age were not yet available, was killed about 7:12 a.m. near a crosswalk on Kalanianaole Highway where it intersects with Humuniki Street. Police said he was about 50 years old.

Investigators with the Honolulu Police Department's vehicular homicide section were called to the scene.

Officers were on the lookout for a black construction type pickup truck with pipe racks that was initially seen heading toward Makapu'u.

Morning traffic was diverted around the scene for several hours.

The passing cars woke up Rose Heavey, whose home is not far from the accident scene. There were so many people on the street that she went to investigate, still dressed in her pajamas.

Heavey, who has lived on Humuniki Street since the 1970s, said she hoped it was not an elderly Japanese man she often saw walking through the neighborhood each morning.

"Maybe he was trying to cross the street and some crazy guy came and hit him, speeding maybe," she said. "People do a lot of speeding around here. There are very inconsiderate people out here."