Police say driver lost control when passing vehicle on Akoni Pule Highway

Media release by Hawaii County Police

KAPAAU, Hawaii: A 38-year-old Kapaʻau man died Saturday (March 3) from injuries he sustained in a single motorcycle crash on Akoni Pule Highway in the area of the 21-mile-marker in the North Kohala District.

The motorcycle operator was identified as Lance C.K. Pule, of a Kapaʻau address.

Responding to a 12:44 p.m. call, North Kohala patrol officers determined that Pule was operating a 2011 Kawasaki motorcycle and traveling south on Akoni Pule Highway when he overtook another vehicle in a no-passing zone, lost control and ran off the right side of the highway.

Pule was not wearing a helmet. He was taken by Fire Department helicopter to Kohala Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 1:31 p.m.

It is unknown at this time if alcohol or drugs were involved but speed was a factor in this crash. Witnesses reported that Pule was operating the motorcycle at a high rate of speed.

Traffic Enforcement Unit officers have initiated a coroner’s inquest case and have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.

This is the sixth traffic fatality on the Big Island this year compared to five at this time last year.