Woman dies in head-on collision

A 20-year-old Paauilo woman died following a two-vehicle crash Monday night on Akoni Pule Highway (Highway 270) just south of the 13-mile marker.

She was identified as Makaylyn Kalani.

Officers responding to a 8:40 p.m. call, determined that a northbound 2008 Honda four-door sedan driven by Kalani crossed the centerline and collided head-on with a southbound 2009 Toyota pickup truck.

The occupants of the Toyota, a 24-year-old man and a 19-year-old woman, both of Kohala, were taken to North Hawaii Community Hospital for treatment of their injuries.

Kalani was dead at the scene, according to a Fire Department statement.

Police believe speed and inattention were factors in the crash and an autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.

Anyone who witnessed the crash is asked to call Officer Christopher Kapua-Allison at 326-4646, ext. 229, or Crime Stoppers at 961-8300.

Kalani’s death is This is the 7th official traffic fatality this year compared to five at this time last year. There have also been three traffic deaths that police don’t count toward the official total, because two were on private property and the third was in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.