Honokaa remembers departed graduates

HONOKAA, Hawaii: A candlelight vigil was held in Honokaa on Thursday night, in remembrance of three Honokaa High School graduates killed on Big Island roads.

Rocky P. Pactol, Kauakeakeokaua Lactaoen, and Brocky Aleka Rapoza were memorialized at the emotional event at the Honokaa High School Park.

Lactaoen and Pactol were killed in a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of Queen Kaʻahumanu Highway and Kawaihae Road in South Kohala around midnight, early on Sunday morning.

31-year-old Rapozo died in an April 4 crash while riding his motorcycle on Route 190 near the 14-mile marker in the South Kohala District.

The gathering was also a chance for friends and family to express their greif over the incidents that have rocked the community. Councilman Dominic Yagong speaks in this video.

[video by Daryl Lee, voice of Stephanie Salazar]