*Mountain View, Hawai‘i Island* — A somber evening unfolded on Monday, August 11, 2025, as Hawai‘i Island police responded to a fatal motorcycle crash that claimed the life of 34-year-old Hapaki Teixeira, a resident of Honoka‘a.
At approximately 9:48 p.m., emergency responders were dispatched to the intersection of Puhala Street and Hibiscus Street in Mountain View. According to police reports, Teixeira was riding a 2007 Suzuki Boulevard motorcycle northbound on Puhala Street when he lost control of the vehicle. The motorcycle veered off the roadway and collided with a tree, ejecting Teixeira from the bike. Tragically, he was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.
Teixeira was rushed to Hilo Benioff Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 10:08 p.m. An autopsy has been ordered to determine the precise cause of death.
The East Hawai‘i Traffic Enforcement Unit arrived on the scene and launched an investigation, which is currently classified as a coroner’s inquest. Preliminary findings suggest that excessive speed may have played a role in the crash.
This incident marks the 15th traffic fatality on Hawai‘i Island in 2025, a decrease from the 21 fatalities recorded by this time last year. The loss of Teixeira has sent ripples through the local community, highlighting the ongoing concerns around road safety and the importance of protective gear.
Authorities are urging anyone with information about the collision to come forward. Officer Jerome Duarte can be reached at (808) 961-2339 or via email at [email protected]. For those who wish to remain anonymous, Crime Stoppers is available at (808) 961-8300.
As the investigation continues, the community mourns the loss of a young life and reflects on the fragility of moments that can change everything.