The victim has been identified as Earl Hirakawa, 40, a Pearl City resident who, police said, has a record of 81 prior arrests.

The incident happened at 11:50 last night near the intersection of North Vineyard Boulevard and 'A'ala Street and first was reported as a traffic accident, said police homicide Lt. Bill Kato.

Witnesses told police that Hirakawa had just made a left turn from Nu'uanu Avenue onto Vineyard, with another car in close pursuit, but Kato said the circumstances are still unclear.

"We're don't know what prompted this," he said. "We don't know whether they were chasing each other, or racing, or what."

Kato said that Hirakawa's record consists largely of property crimes and drug offenses. However, he said, having his identity confirmed so far has cast little light on possible suspects for the shooting.

Both cars headed 'ewa on Vineyard and they came abreast of each other as they approached the 'A'ala intersection, he said. Hirakawa's car may have been in the makai lane next to the shooter's car in the center lane, Kato said, although witness information on that point has been conflicting.

Hirakawa's car crossed the median strip and the eastbound lanes of Vineyard and hit a tree near the makai-'ewa corner of the intersection, Kato said.

Witnesses also reported hearing a gunshot, he said, and police officers responding to the collision found Hirakawa shot in the head. He was taken to The Queen's Medical Center, where he died at 2:07 a.m.

The shooter was seen driving off in an 'ewa direction, Kato added, but the witnesses could only describe the car as a light-colored small vehicle.

Kato said police are going back to the scene tonight to canvass the area for more witnesses. Anyone with information can call Detective Larry Tamashiro at 529-3083, or leave anonymous tips with CrimeStoppers at 955-8300.

They're also hoping that the driver of a tow-truck that some witnesses reported passing by at the same time will call police.

The more recent shootings from passing cars include one in Makaha Aug. 21, in which the shooter and two other men in a yellow Toyota chased a car containing three people in an apparent dispute over money.

Nobody was injured in that incident, reported at 11 p.m. on Farrington Highway, near Jade Street.

Reach Vicki Viotti at 525-8053 or vviotti@honoluluadvertiser.com.