1-11-25 Police Launch Coroner’s Inquest Investigation Into Hilo Death 
Hawai‘i Police Department
Hilo Patrol
Lieutenant Paul Kim
Phone: (808) 935-3311
Report No.: 25-003401
Media Release
Hawai‘i Island police have launched a coroner’s inquest investigation after a man’s body was found near a tree on Saturday morning, January 11, 2025, near the Kaumana Drive junction in Hilo.
At 10:11 a.m., police dispatch received a report from a passerby in the area of a man hanging from a tree by Chong Street. Responding South Hilo patrol officers and Hawai‘i Fire Department personnel located the man’s body, however he was beyond resuscitation efforts. The man, who appeared to be in his 50s, was transported to the Hilo Benioff Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 12:16 p.m.
The Area I Criminal Investigation Section is investigating this incident as a coroner's inquest, pending positive identification of the decedent and notification of next of kin.
Police ask anyone with information regarding this incident to contact Area I Criminal Investigation Section Detective Kimo Keliipaakaua at (808) 961-2375, or call the police department’s non-emergency line at (808) 935-3311.
Address/Location
Hawaii Police Department
349 Kapiolani St
Hilo, HI 96720
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 808-935-3311