A 25-year-old Big Island man was killed last night in Kona after apparently losing control of his motorcycle. Hawaii County police said they believe speed and alcohol were factors in the accident. 

Keahi N. Kamehaiku of Kailua-Kona died of head injuries sustained in a motorcycle crash on Kealakehe Parkway, a half-mile east of Queen Ka‘ahumanu Highway in Kailua-Kona. 

Kona police said Kamehaiku was riding a 2001 Yamaha motorcycle, traveling east on Kealakehe Parkway in the left lane at 8 p.m.

Witnesses reported that the motorcycle was speeding as it passed a vehicle in the right lane. Kamehaiku changed to the right lane, but struck the curb and lost control of the motorcycle. He was not wearing a helmet.

Kamehaiku was taken to Kona Community Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 10:25 p.m.

He was the Big Island’s 12th traffic fatality, compared with 11 at the same time last year.