Driver indicted for manslaughter in 2023 Punchbowl crash

HONOLULU (KHON2) — An O‛ahu grand jury indicted Shawlea Aona, 36, on Tuesday for manslaughter in connection with a crash on ʻIolani Avenue.

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The car crash happened on January 28 last year on ʻIolani Avenue at Prospect Street. The accident killed 59-year-old Elmer Milikini.

“We sought the manslaughter charge rather than the lesser charge of Negligent Homicide because of the totality of the circumstances,” Prosecuting Attorney Steve Alm said.

While presenting the grand jury findings to a judge in open court on Tuesday, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Hon-Lum Cheung-Cheng cited evidence Aona was attempting to pass Milikini while driving as fast as 85 mph in a 25-mph zone.

According to Alm, Aona had a blood alcohol content above the legal limit at the time of the accident.

Aona’s bail is set at $100,000. She is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.