Hawaiʻi Island police have initiated a coroner’s inquest investigation after a 20-year-old Kailua-Kona man died following a fireworks incident.

On July 4, Kona patrol officers and members of the Hawai‘i County Fire Department responded to a report of a public accident, possibly involving illegal fireworks, in a retail parking lot in Kailua-Kona. Upon arrival, officers located a young man, later identified as 20-year-old Glen John Nakata, lying on the ground with a substantial head injury.

Bystanders stated they saw Nakata holding a fireworks launcher above his head when the firework went off, sending the young man to the ground. Nakata was transported by ambulance to the Kona Community Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead.

Police have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.

Anyone who witnessed the incident is urged to contact Officer Melani Cline at (808) 326-4646, ext. 253.