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An 82-year-old man reported to be a prominent member of the Hauula community died and three others were seriously injured Thursday in a crash of two sport utility vehicles on Kamehameha Highway in Laie, according to city Emergency Medical Services and police.
The crash occurred at about 3:30 p.m. near Pounders Beach in Laie.
Police Lt. Robert Towne said the man, who was a passenger in a Toyota RAV4, had a history of health problems. Police are awaiting autopsy results for the cause of death.
Two others who were in the RAV4 — a 77-year-old female driver, believed to be the man’s wife, and a woman in her 70s — were taken to the hospital in serious condition, said police and Shayne Enright, spokeswoman for the city Emergency Services Department.
The 59-year-old male driver of the other SUV, a silver Nissan, was taken by ambulance in serious condition to a hospital, police said.
The RAV4 was heading toward Kahuku when, for unknown reasons, the driver attempted to turn left into a driveway near the Polynesian Cultural Center when it collided with the Nissan, Towne said.
Towne said the man was a prominent member of the Hauula community and well known at the Polynesian Cultural Center.
Police closed the highway in both directions from the Polynesian Cultural Center, 55-370 Kamehameha Highway, to Hauula Kai Shopping Center, 54-316 Kamehameha Highway, and reopened it at 7:11 p.m.
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