By Craig T. Kojima, Star-Bulletin
A photo of 10-year-old Jerry Kekahuna is surrounded
by flowers and a trophy near the spot where he was killed
while crossing Farrington Highway in Waianae on Monday.

Boy’s death raises
alert of Waianae
motorists

The community's 'Live and
Let Live' program emphasizes
good, safe driving

By Rod Ohira
Star-Bulletin

The Waianae community is mourning the loss of a young son, the fourth person killed this year in a traffic collision or crash on Farrington Highway along the Waianae Coast.

Ten-year-old Jerry Kekahuna was struck Monday afternoon by a pickup truck while in a crosswalk on Farrington Highway fronting Waianae Intermediate School.

The boy died later at Queen's Hospital, becoming the ninth traffic fatality this year in police patrol District 8 (Ewa-Waianae).

The 18-year-old driver of the truck, who left the scene, was arrested later at Waianae Boat Harbor. He was released pending further investigation for possible indictment after being booked for failure to render aid and second-degree negligent homicide.

Monday's tragedy occurred about two years after a fatal car crash on Oahu that claimed the life of another young man -- the brother of the driver arrested Monday in the hit-and-run, police said.

"We feel badly for the (Kekahuna) family, especially because their loss comes during the holiday season," said Bella Oclinaria, one of the founding members and coordinator of the 14-year-old Waianae Coast "Live and Let Live" grass-roots driver awareness program.

"We also feel for the driver's family and hope they find forgiveness and healing."

Police arrested the suspect in the Kekahuna case with the assistance of a witness, who followed the truck, said Oclinaria.

By Craig T. Kojima, Star-Bulletin
As children walked home from school and traffic backed up on
Farrington HIghway in Waianae, the parents of 10-year-old
Jerry Kekahuna gathered yesterday at the site of his death to
mourn and to commemorate his life. Jerry's mother, Linda,
in glasses, got a hug while Jerry's father, seated in the
baseball cap, talked with well-wishers.

Public awareness is what the 150-plus community members of "Live and Let Live" have been stressing for more than a decade.

The wrecked vehicles annually displayed along the Waianae Coast to remind drivers not to drink and drive will be located this year fronting Nanakuli Beach Park, Maili Point and at the entrance to Waianae Boat Harbor.

According to police records, there have been 672 major motor vehicle collisions in District 8 from January through November this year.

"We also want to remind drivers that speed kills," Oclinaria said. "Drivers need to be aware of pedestrians, and what's around them."

The truck that struck Kekahuna reportedly was overtaking another vehicle when it allegedly ran a red light, Oclinaria said.

"When you look at speeders, you need to know what's on their minds," said Councilman John DeSoto, who represents the area. "What do you gain by running a red light?

"It's all about the attitude of drivers. They don't consider the consequences of their actions before acting because the consequences are not bad enough.

"What's needed is for people to take responsibility of how they drive, not only in Waianae but everywhere else."

Sgt. Mark Kawasaki of the District 8 Community Policing Team added that the widening of Farrington Highway, especially in the area of Waianae town, demands that motorists stay alert.

"There are people living on both sides and it takes a little longer to cross four lanes than two," Kawasaki said. "So everyone has to be more careful."