Cancer is the top killer of Hawaii residents, according to the state Department of Health. Heart disease -- once the leading cause of death in this state -- is now a close second.Cancer and heart disease together killed half of the 8,988 residents who died last year in Hawaii. While heart disease took the lives of 1,258 males and 996 females, cancer claimed 1,177 males and 959 females. Cancer is the leading killer of Hawaii residents ages 45 to 84. Lung cancer is by far the most lethal form of cancer in Hawaii.
Car crashes -- 11th on the list of leading causes of death -- dominate headlines in Hawaii when it comes to fatalities. But cancer, sadly, is to blame for taking the most lives.
