Crash coverage didn’t tell it all
I read your story of May 19 about the two young Guatemalan men who were in that horrendous, fiery crash on the Queen Kaahumanu Highway.
Here’s what your story said regarding the police report: “Hawaii police reported a Toyota 4Runner occupied by two men traveling north was in a collision with a Nissan Titan, occupied by a man and woman traveling south.”
Here’s what the police report actually said: “police determined that a 1998 Toyota 4Runner operated by an unidentified male party had been passing several vehicles as he traveled North on the Queen Kaahumanu Highway, and as he completed his pass the operator lost control of his vehicle which caused it to veer back into the oncoming (southbound) lane where it was then involved in a broadside collision with a 2008 Nissan Titan operated by a 37-year-old Kamuela man.”
You quoted one of their family members: “It is very unfortunate that due to someone’s poor judgment innocent lives were affected and lost.”
You glorified the two young men who caused the accident. You included quotes about how humble, friendly, hardworking, positive they were, with great senses of humor. You included pleas for money for their families/burial/transport etc. You quoted a family member implying that “someone’s” poor judgment caused the loss of innocent life. That “someone” was their own relative, and clearly neither they nor you are willing to state the truth.
These young men were not victims. They were perpetrators. It was very disappointing to read your incomplete story that glorified the perpetrators of this reckless act that changed the lives of one innocent Kamuela family forever.
Editor’s note: The article also included that the 4Runner was passing several vehicles and lost control, causing the accident.
Jay B. Kopelman
Kailua-Kona
LeBron James is the GOAT
Having obliterated Michael Jordan’s record of 5,986 playoff points rather easily, LeBron James in my heart and soul is the GOAT of the NBA (greatest of all time). LeBron is 32 years young and still hasn’t reached his prime in my mind. When it is all said and done, the great LeBron James will have mostly all of the NBA records, period.
Becoming the NBA leader in playoff points is an amazing accomplishment for LeBron James since he is a facilitator (assist man) first. At 6’8” and 260 pounds, I haven’t seen an athlete that big with so much athletic ability. LeBron chases down much smaller guards and blocks their shots on breakaway fast breaks, which is simply amazing.
LeBron James is once in a lifetime NBA player and athlete, period. In addition to that, he donates millions to his hometown Akron to help needy and worthy students with plentiful scholarships. The great LeBron James deserves positive recognition and I’m giving him his dues. LeBron James is simply the GOAT of the NBA. Enough said!
Dean Nagasako
Honokaa
Nice or not, driver caused death
And another innocent bystander dies at the hands of a reckless maniac at the wheel, who was, of course, a great guy, loved by all, never hurt a fly and on and on and on.
And yet, three people are dead. What’s wrong with this picture?
Bob Peters
Kona