KOKEE — A Kapaa man died Saturday after an accident occurred while he was attempting to cut down a tree near his cabin in Kokee. Adrien “Eddie” Malina, 58, was in a utility boom truck trying to cut down a tree
KOKEE — A Kapaa man died Saturday after an accident occurred while he was attempting to cut down a tree near his cabin in Kokee.
Adrien “Eddie” Malina, 58, was in a utility boom truck trying to cut down a tree around 9 a.m. A second tree that was leaning against the one he was cutting then fell onto an unused utility line, which pinned the victim between the truck bucket and the line.
Bystanders were able to cut the utility line and assist Malina out of the bucket before medics and fire personnel arrived to the scene. Medics transported him to Kauai Veteran’s Memorial Hospital where he later died of his injuries.
The incident remains under police investigation. Foul play is not suspected in the cause of his death.
J.K. Kennedy tamed wild pigs in Malina’s pasture and learned about his death from someone who approached him on the former Lihue Plantation property.
Malina was part of Malama O Kokee and very well known on the island, Kennedy said. The two knew one another for over 20 years, and Kennedy said news of his premature death was shocking and devastating, especially during the holidays.
“He was a well known rancher and he let me go in there and tame wild pigs,” Kennedy said. “He was a real nice guy and this shocked the hell out of me this could happen.”
