R.I.P. James Akau - You Will Be Missed!

Brads55 · 04-29-2010, 08:03 PM

I just received an awful phone call from a close friend in Hawaii. A good friend of mine, James Akau, passed away yesterday morning. Him, his fiancee, and their 9 year old little girl, were all in a very bad car accident. His fiancee and their kid are ok thankfully.

Here's the story in today's West Hawaii Today....

Thursday, April 29, 2010 8:40 AM HST

A 22-year-old Ocean View man is dead and two injured after a car apparently struck a bull and then side-swiped a tractor trailer Wednesday morning on Highway 11 in the Punaluu area.

Police have identified the victim as James P.K. Akau.

Police said Akau was driving a 2006 Kia four-door sedan headed northbound on Highway 11, near mile marker 58, when he apparently struck a bull in the northbound lane, lost control, and then hit the southbound truck and overturned around 5:30 a.m.

Two passengers in the Kia, a 40-year-old woman and her 9-year-old daughter, were able to exit the car before firefighters arrived at the scene.

Both were taken to Ka'u Hospital where the 9-year-old was treated and released. Her mother was later transported to Kona Community Hospital for further treatment.

Akau was not wearing a seat belt, but his two passengers were at the time of the crash. Akau was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the Fire Department.

The driver of the 1997 Peterbilt truck, a 41-year-old Ninole man, reported no injuries, according to the Fire Department.

Ka'u District Capt. Andrew Burian said police received a report of a bull on the highway and had dispatched officers just before the crash was reported.

James, you were a great friend of mine, and you will be missed!