Moped Operator Succumbs to Injuries from Olinda Rd Crash

Maui moped fatality. Maui Now graphics.

By Maui Now Staff

A 36-year-old Makawao man has since succumbed to injuries sustained in a moped crash on Olinda Road last month, police said.

Maui Police have since identified the man as Alika Kapuaala and say he passed away on Thursday morning, Dec. 18, 2014.

Kapuaala was involved in a motor vehicle crash reported at around 1:09 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 30, on Olinda Road north of Kehau Place in Makawao.

Police say an investigation reveals the operator of a Toyota pickup truck was traveling south on Olinda Road and struck Kapuaala who was operating a moped, and also traveling south on Olinda Road.

As a result of this crash, police say Kapuaala sustained life-threatening injuries and was transported to the hospital emergency room for treatment.  The operator of the Toyota did not sustain any injuries, according to Maui Police.

According to department reports, the airbags in the Toyota did not deploy, and the moped operator was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.

The involvement of drugs and alcohol has not been determined, and are pending investigation.