Police ID girl killed in Maunakea crash
Big Island police Wednesday evening identified the 9-year-old girl who died in a New Year’s Day crash on Mauna Kea Access Road that left seven others injured.
The girl was identified as Kelsirose Adelka of Kailua-Kona, according Hawaii Police Department. Police said an autopsy was conducted Wednesday, but provided no additional information.
Meanwhile, investigators are continuing the mechanical inspection of the truck in the incident Saturday below the Maunakea Visitor Information Station located at about the 9,000-foot elevation of Maunakea.
Adelka was riding inside a 2018 Toyota Tacoma traveling west on the steep summit road when the vehicle appears to have lost control after the brakes did not respond, according to police. The four-door pickup truck then crossed the roadway and went off the left shoulder traveling approximately 100 yards before falling into a ravine.
At the time of the crash the roadway was wet and it was raining, police said.
The girl was one of five occupants within the truck at the time of the crash; an additional three occupants were within the bed of the pickup truck. The Hawaii Fire Department said multiple victims were ejected from the vehicle.
The operator of the pick-up truck, a 40-year-old woman, and a 33-year-old man were airlifted to The Queen’s Medical Center on Oahu. A 3-year-old boy was airlifted in critical condition to Kapiolani Medical Center on Oahu. Four others were taken to Hilo Medical Center for treatment.
Police said speed and brake failure appear to be major factors in the crash. Seatbelts were also not used.
Anyone who may have witnessed the crash or who has information should contact Officer Jared Cabatu at (808) 961-2339 or via email Jared.Cabatu@HawaiiCounty.gov. Those who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300.
Paauilo man accused of attempted distribution of over 5 pounds of meth
A 44-year-old Paauilo man is facing a host of charges for attempted possession and distribution of over 5 pounds of methamphetamine and damaging a police vehicle, Hawaii County Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen announced late Wednesday.
Timothy Nacis was charged via complaint following his arrest on Monday in Paauilo, according to Waltjen. He faces two counts of attempted first-degree promoting a dangerous drug and one count each second-degree attempted promoting of a dangerous drug, second-degree criminal property damage, ownership or possession prohibited, and prohibited acts related to drug paraphernalia.
If convicted as charged, Nacis faces sentencing to a mandatory minimum prison term without the possibility of parole. According to Waltjen, Nacis is a repeat offender with three prior felony convictions.
He is scheduled to make his initial appearance Thursday in Hilo District Court. He remained in custody in lieu of $200,000 bail as of press-time Wednesday.
Police arrest 33 for suspected DUI
Police arrested 33 motorists for suspected drunken driving between Dec. 27, 2021, and Sunday. Six of the drivers were involved in traffic crashes and three were younger than age 21.
Kona officers arrested a dozen drivers while Puna officers arrested five and South Hilo officers three, according to data released by the Hawaii Police Department. Meanwhile, South Kohala officers arrested two drivers and North Kohala and Hamakua officers arrested one driver in each district.
During 2021, there were 1,081 arrests for DUI, up nearly 8% from 2020, and 814 major crashes, up just under 5%.
During 2021, there were 26 fatalities on Big Island public roadways, compared with 15 fatal crashes in 2020.
This represents an increase of 73.3% for fatalities.
The Big Island has already marked one death in 2022 following a single-vehicle crash on Mauna Kea Access Road that left a 9-year-old girl dead and seven injured.
DLNR requests more funds from lawmakers for state parks
HONOLULU — The Department of Land and Natural Resources is asking lawmakers for more money to boost maintenance and staffing at state parks.
The state Department of Land and Natural Resources has requested $12 million in special funds for its State Parks division next fiscal year, Hawaii Public Radio reported Wednesday.
The division received $3 million in special funds during the current fiscal year.
The department plans to use the additional funds for maintenance, repairs and additional staffing. It currently has a little over 100 employees to manage 52 state parks across five islands.
Alan Carpenter, the assistant administrator for the Division of State Parks, said Nebraska and South Carolina each had fewer tourists than Hawaii, yet their state park agencies had several times more employees.
In 2020, State Parks increased user fees for all nine of its parks that charge for entrance and parking — such as Diamond Head on Oahu and Akaka Falls State Park and Hapuna State Recreation Area on the Big Island. It hopes to reduce foot traffic at parks without reducing its budget.
Crowd sizes limited in Honolulu as omicron rises in islands
HONOLULU — Organizers of large indoor events on Hawaii’s most populous island must once again abide by crowd size restrictions as the omicron variant spreads throughout the state.
Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi said at a news conference Wednesday that any indoor gathering with more than 1,000 people will be subject to a 50% capacity rule.
Blangiardi said the new rule would go into effect Monday and remain for at least three weeks.
By local and wire sources
