A motorcyclist died in a single vehicle crash in South Kohala early today.

He was identified by the Hawaii County Police Department as 22-year-old Reynald Mateo Navarro of Kamuela.

The crash occurred on Kawaihae Road near the 66 mile marker just after 12:20 a.m.

Police said a black 2020 Yamaha R6 motorcycle operated by Navarro was traveling east on the roadway when, for unknown reasons, it veered off the road and struck a rock embankment.

Navarro was taken to the North Hawaii Community Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

An autopsy is expected to be performed to determine the exact cause of death.

Police said Navarro was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.

Officers temporarily closed Kawaihae Road between Queen Kaahumanu Highway and Emmalani Street to investigate the crash, and reopened the area to traffic sometime before 4 a.m.

This is the 15th traffic-related fatality on Hawaii island compared to 23 at the same time last year.

Anyone who may have witnessed the incident is asked to call officer Kelsey Kobayashi at (808) 326-4646 or email Kelsey.Kobayashi@hawaiicounty.gov.