Murdered cabbie was
By Jaymes K. Song
shot in head
Star-BulletinA 41-year-old taxicab driver found slain this week in Kailua died after being shot in the head, according to police.
The results of an autopsy on Hahn Soo Kim were expected to be released by the medical examiner's office today.
Kim, of Salt Lake, was found dead in his SIDA taxicab at 2:52 a.m. Thursday in the parking lot of Kailua Beach Park. Investigators say robbery appears to be the motive.
In the wake of the murder, Oahu taxicab companies are advising their drivers to be more cautious, and some, like Charley's Taxi & Tours, said they are installing new security measures.
Police are asking for anyone who may have seen Kim or his station wagon cab from 1 to 3 a.m. Thursday to come forward.
Kim was driving a 1984 brown Buick station wagon with Hawaii license plates FTN-306. The cab also had "SIDA 712" printed on the taxi dome light. He was last seen dropping off a passenger at 1:30 a.m. fronting a Waikiki hotel and may have picked up another fare nearby.
According to SIDA chief executive Edwin Matsumoto, Kim's last contact with taxi dispatchers was at 1:15 a.m., notifying them of a pickup at the airport.
Matsumoto believes the passengers directed Kim to Kailua because SIDA does not make any pickups on the Windward side unless called, and no calls were made.
The cab was found in the driveway fronting the pavilion at the beach park, with Kim in the driver's seat, according to police. The vehicle's engine was running, and its lights, including the dome light, were on.
Anyone with information can call CrimeStoppers at 955-8300 or Detective Clifford Rubio at 529-3358.
Kim, a Korean national with permanent U.S. residency, moved to Hawaii from Korea in 1985. He is the father of two boys, 9 and 10 years old.
Ben Oh, a spokesman for the Korean consulate general, said the Korean community in Hawaii is "in shock" over the incident. The Korean consul is supporting and assisting Kim's family.
