HILO, Hawaii — A 34-year-old Honokaa man, identified as Hapaki Teixeira, has died following a single-vehicle motorcycle crash Monday night in the Mountain View area of Hawaii Island.
The incident occurred around 9:48 p.m. at the intersection of Puhala and Hibiscus streets. According to Hawaii Island police, Teixeira was riding a 2007 Suzuki Boulevard motorcycle northbound on Puhala Street when he lost control, veered off the roadway, and struck a tree.
Authorities reported that Teixeira was thrown from the motorcycle during the crash and was not wearing a helmet. Emergency responders transported him to Hilo Benioff Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 10:08 p.m.
Investigators are continuing to examine the circumstances of the crash, including speed and other potential contributing factors. Police are urging riders to wear proper safety gear, including helmets, to reduce the risk of severe injury or death.
Teixeira’s death marks another tragic reminder of the dangers on Hawaii’s roadways, particularly for motorcyclists.