Kaʻū News Briefs Jan. 23, 2024

HAWAI'I HAS THE LOWEST RACIAL WEALTH GAP IN THE NATION, with the exception of West Virginia which is tied for 50th, reported WalletHub on Tuesday. The income gap study its based on comparing incomes of white, non-Hispanics, with Hispanics and Blacks.
    The study doesn't examine the wealth gap here between the overall population in Hawai'i and Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders who live here.
    Based on WalletHub metrics that show Hawai'i with the lowest racial wealth gap, the study released Tuesday reports that the highest median racial household income gap is four times higher in the District of Columbia than in Hawai'i. The highest racial homeownership rate gap is three times higher in North Dakota than in the District of Columbia. The highest racial poverty rate gap is 13 times higher in the District of Columbia than in Hawai'i. The highest uninsured rate gap is 22 times higher in Maryland than in Hawai'i. Read more about the study at https://wallethub.com/edu/states-with-the-highest-and-lowest-financial-gaps-by-race/9842

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Regina Baker

FLEEING THE SCENE AND FAILING TO ASSIST A VICTIM OF A VEHICULAR ACCIDENT has led to arrest of an Ocean View woman. Officers with Hawai‘i Police Department’s Area II Traffic Enforcement Unit arrested the driver of a 2006 Nissan Murano SUV that fled the scene of a two-vehicle collision on Highway 11 at Aloha Blvd. on Saturday. The crash left an Ocean View man with life-threatening injuries.
    Responding to a call at 10:16 p.m, police determined that a blue 2003 Harley-Davidson Road King driven by a 59-year-old man, was heading south and overtaking several vehicles in a no-passing zone. As the motorcycle was passing the fourth vehicle, a 2006 Nissan SUV, the SUV made a left turn onto Aloha Boulevard resulting in the motorcycle striking the rear of the vehicle. The rider was ejected more than 250 feet, sustaining severe head and internal injuries. The SUV fled the scene into the upper portion of the Hawaiian Ocean View Estates subdivision.
    The motorcyclist was transported to the Kona Community Hospital and subsequently transferred to the Queens Medical Center on Oahu for further treatment where he remains in critical condition.
    HPD’s Area II Traffic Enforcement Unit launched a traffic crash investigation and on Tuesday, Jan. 23, at 10:40 a.m., arrested 49-year-old Regina Baker of Ocean View for failure to render aid/accident involving injury or death, driving without a driver’s license, and operating a vehicle without valid insurance. She was subsequently released pending further investigation. The Nissan SUV involved in the collision was taken into police evidence and the investigation remains ongoing at this time.
    Police ask anyone who may have witnessed the collision to contact Officer Ansel Robinson at 808-326-4646, ext. 229, or email at ansel.robinson@hawaiicounty.gov. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300.