Car in Big Island crash had ice, police say

By Kevin Dayton
Advertiser Big Island Bureau

HILO, Hawai'i — The car that collided with a minibus full of tourists on Volcano Highway last week and killed four people was carrying what appears to be crystal methamphetamine and a "substantial" amount of cash, police announced yesterday.

Police also found ice paraphernalia in the car, but tests to determine whether driver Arthur Kahele or the other occupants of the Toyota Matrix were using drugs before the crash have not been completed, police said.

All four occupants of the car were killed after the Matrix crossed the center line of the highway and collided with the southbound tour bus. The car was headed north toward Hilo, where family members have said Kahele planned to buy new tires.

Police said witnesses reported the Toyota was speeding, and there was thick fog and heavy rain in the Glenwood area where the crash occurred.

Kahele, 29, and Sheena Beach, 21, were expecting the birth of their first child this week. Both died in the collision. Also killed were Kahele's sister, Adeline Kuahuia, 42, and her husband, Siafa Taetuna, 39, who lived in Kealakehe. A number of tourists on the bus suffered minor injuries, police said.

Reach Kevin Dayton at 808 935-3916 or kdayton@honoluluadvertiser.com.