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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Sunday, February 18, 2007

Motorcycle crash fatal to Big Island man

Advertiser Staff

A Captain Cook man died yesterday from injuries he sustained Friday morning when his motorcycle slammed into a truck turning left into the path of the motorcycle, the Hawai'i Police Department reported.

Police said Joseph Keliipaakaua III, 53, who was not wearing a helmet, was traveling north on his 2005 Honda motorcycle on Route 11 at around 11:30 a.m. when the accident occurred at the intersection of Hawai'i Belt Road and Captain Cook Road.

Keliipaakaua was taken to the Kona Community Hospital by Fire Rescue personnel, and then flown to The Queen's Medical Center in Honolulu where he died at 12:37 a.m. yesterday, police said.

The 79-year-old driver of the southbound 2006 GMC pickup refused medical treatment at the scene.

He was also from Captain Cook, police said.

It was not known if speed or alcohol were factors.

Traffic officers have opened a negligent homicide investigation, and an autopsy has been ordered.

Big Island police are asking anyone with information about the crash to call Officer Joshua Lewis at 326-4646, ext. 229.