KAILUA-KONA — A Captain Cook man is facing a misdemeanor negligent homicide charge stemming from a crash that killed a 10-year-old girl near Honaunau Elementary School last November.
William Herndon, 62, was arrested last week. Hawaii County Deputy Prosecutor Kauanoe Jackson filed a complaint Nov. 15 in 3rd Circuit Court charging Herndon with third-degree negligent homicide.
Herndon, who posted $1,000 bail, is slated to appear in court for arraignment and plea on Dec. 12.
The incident occurred Nov. 2, 2016. Janexty Kamakamaeuluwehi Kaaloa, known to family and friends as Ulu, was walking home from school along the mauka side of Highway 11. Traveling north, she attempted to cross the highway toward her family’s restaurant, Kaaloa’s Super J’s, when she was hit by Herndon who was driving south in a tan, 1987 Jeep pickup.
Ulu’s mother, Julie Kaaloa, knew about the charges against Herndon on Thursday. She said she had mixed feelings.
“I think he’s already in his own jail,” Kaaloa said about Herndon.
Kaaloa described Herndon as a nice man and she wished he didn’t have to go to court. She said she told prosecutors to make the hearing quick and painless.
“I told them I don’t want him to go to jail,” she said. “Poor man. He suffers every day.”
Kaaloa moved to Idaho, where she is taking time to heal from the loss of her daughter.
“It’s a little bit sad for me to go home,” she said. “I just plan to come home to visit — not sure to live yet.”
Kaaloa said everybody has their time, but she misses Ulu.
“I wish I had her body, so I could hold her,” she said.
Kaaloa is grateful for the love and support she and her family have received from the community since her daughter’s death.
“I do believe she lives on through generosity and the love that is shared,” Kaaloa said. “Her love is in everyone she’s touched (and) that continues to shine.”
Third-degree negligent homicide is punishable by up to one year incarceration and a maximum fine of $2,000.
Email Tiffany DeMasters at tdemasters@westhawaiitoday.com.
