Motorcyclist killed in early morning crash on Kawaihae Road

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A 23-year-old motorcyclist was killed early Monday in a single-vehicle crash on Kawaihae Road in South Kohala.

The man was operating a Black 2020 Yamaha R6 motorcycle and heading east (mauka) on Kawaihae Road when he apparently drove off the roadway’s right shoulder and struck a rock embankment, according to the Hawaii Police Department. The crash was reported at 12:21 a.m. about 0.1 miles west (makai) of mile marker 66.

The man was transported to the North Hawaii Community Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 1:04 a.m. Police identified the victim as Reynald Mateo Navarro, of Waimea.

He was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, according to police. An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.

The Area II Traffic Enforcement Unit has initiated a coroner’s inquest investigation and is asking anyone who may have witnessed the crash to contact Officer Kelsey Kobayashi at 326-4646, ext. 229, or by email to Kelsey.kobayashi@hawaiicounty.gov.

This is the 15th traffic fatality this year compared to 23 at this time last year.