Police Beat

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Man who died in crash identified

The medical examiner's office today identified a man who died yesterday in a collision at McCully and Young streets as Kapena Smith, 23, of Makiki.

Police vehicular homicide Sgt. John Agno said Smith's 2003 Honda motorcycle hit the right rear of a 1987 Honda Accord that was turning left at 3:50 p.m.

Smith, who was not wearing a helmet, was thrown from his motorcycle. He was pronounced dead on arrival at The Queen's Medical Center.

A man and woman in the Honda, both 75, were not injured. Yesterday's death was O'ahu's 54th traffic fatality of the year and the seventh involving a motorcycle rider.

Murder trial threat alleged

Police yesterday charged Elgato Sampaio, 27, of Waipahu with intimidating and threatening a witness in the murder trial of Emanuelu Tunoa. Sampaio is being held in lieu of $100,000 bail.

The trial is scheduled to start in October. Tunoa is charged with the shotgun shooting death of Tuputala Esau on March 29 in Waipahu.

Bail rises for three in shooting

Bail for three Kalaheo residents charged with attempted murder in connection with a shooting Friday in Po'ipu has been increased from $20,000 to $50,000, said Kaua'i first deputy prosecuting attorney Craig DeCosta.

Owen S. Konishi, 36, was arraigned yesterday at Koloa District Court while Winona N. "Nalei" Ragragola, 42, and Aaron K. Kahalewai, 27, were scheduled to be arraigned today. Konishiâs preliminary hearing will be held tomorrow at Koloa District Court.

The suspects are accused of trying to kill Arthur Brun, 31, of Hanapepe. Konishi and Ragragola, driving a pickup truck and van, respectively, allegedly chased Brun, who was in a Jeep Cherokee, from an 'Ele'ele residence to Maha'ulepu Road.