Posted on: Friday, March 8, 2002
Clues sought in fatal drive-by shooting
By Vicki Viotti
Advertiser Staff Writer
Armed with only patchy eyewitness information, police are hoping to find more clues that could lead to the arrest of a suspect who apparently killed a man in a drive-by shooting Wednesday night.
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 p.m. Wednesday near the intersection of North Vineyard Boulevard and 'A'ala Street, police homicide Lt. Bill Kato said.
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 accident 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 'ewa, Kato added, but the witnesses could describe the car only as a light-colored small vehicle.
Anyone with information can call Detective Larry Tamashiro at 529-3083, or leave anonymous tips with CrimeStoppers at 955-8300.
Reach Vicki Viotti at 525-8053 or vviotti@honoluluadvertiser.com.
