WAIALUA — A teenage boy was killed and his brother seriously injured yesterday when the mopeds they were illegally racing on Kaukonahua Road crashed into a guardrail during what was called a "Halloween moped cruise" from Papakolea to the North Shore, police said.

The Honolulu Medical Examiner's office identified the dead boy as Gjino Kanahele, 14. The name of his brother, 15, was not available last night.

The brothers were not licensed moped operators. State law says only licensed drivers older than 15 are permitted to operate mopeds on public streets.

The brothers were part of a group of about 60 moped riders, said Honolulu Police officer Willy Malina, from the Wahiawa station. Many of the riders were not wearing helmets, including the brothers, Malina said. Some moped riders may have been riding stolen mopeds, he said.

After the accident, all the other riders scattered, Malina said.

The 1:30 p.m. accident, which closed Kaukonahua Road for two hours while police investigated, was on what residents commonly call Snake Road because of the many S-curves, Malina said.

"Speed and inattention to the road caused the accident," he said. "The teenager tried to correct and was ejected off the moped. His brother, who was following behind, was unable to avoid the first moped and crashed."

Both boys were taken to Pali Momi Medical Center where the 14-year-old was pronounced dead and the 15-year-old was in serious condition, police reported.

Sgt. David Hernandez said police had been tracking the group the boys were riding with. Some of those in the group were riding souped-up mopeds that can go faster than 50 mph. Typically, mopeds don't go faster than 35 mph, Hernandez said.

Police said the group of riders started from Papakolea, in the Punchbowl area, and traveling via Kamehameha Highway, reached the Wahiawa area about noon.

Moped deaths have fluctuated, from one in 2004 to eight in 2005, according to figures from the state Department of Health and county police departments.

Reach Suzanne Roig at sroig@honoluluadvertiser.com.