Crime

Manhunt Ends with Capture at Molokai Airport

Wednesday, October 4th, 2023

By Jack Kiyonaga, Editor  

An incident at Schofield Barracks on Oahu culminated with the capture of the suspect at Molokai Airport on Thursday night, Sept. 28. 

According to reports, the suspect, identified as Paul Smith, had assaulted a soldier at Schofield Barracks at around 2:30 p.m., prompting a lockdown of the military base and nearby schools. No shots were fired, but the suspect reportedly was in possession of a handgun. 

Smith avoided Oahu law enforcement throughout the afternoon Thursday, although lockdowns were eventually lifted for Scofield Barracks and surrounding areas. 

According to Civil Beat, Smith flew from Dillingham Airfield on Oahu, arriving on Molokai via a small private plane between 6 and 6:30 p.m.…

Family Sues County Over Fatal Shooting in April

Wednesday, September 27th, 2023

By The Molokai Dispatch Staff

Members of Naki ‘ohana have sued the County of Maui and police officers involved in the April 30 shooting of 39-year-old Nathaniel Naki. In the lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court last week, his family claims officers on the scene used “unlawful deadly force when they discharged their weapons at Nathaniel without provocation.”

The suit is based on seven counts that include malicious, willful, and wanton conduct by police, emotional distress and suffering to Naki prior to his death, intentional infliction of emotional distress to his family, and wrongful death. For those seeking justice in similar cases, consulting a skilled wrongful death attorney Racine can provide crucial legal support.…

Police-Involved Shooting Fatality

Wednesday, May 3rd, 2023

By Catherine Cluett Pactol | Editor

A Molokai man died after being shot by police last Sunday, April 30. 

Officers responded to a report of a temporary restraining order violation at about 7:40 a.m. in Wailua near mile marker 18.5 on the east end, according to the Maui Police Department. 

When they arrived, two officers encountered a 40-year-old man with a weapon, according to MPD. 

“The male advanced toward the officers, at which time one officer deployed his taser, which proved ineffective before both officers discharged their weapons,” the police report states. 

Officers performed life-saving measures until medics arrived. The man was transported to Molokai General Hospital, where he later died. …

New Sentence in 2013 Molokai Murder Case

Wednesday, March 22nd, 2023

By Jack Kiyonaga, Reporter

On March 14, a judge sentenced Marlin Lavoie, of Molokai, to a 40-year prison term during a re-trial for the fatal shooting of Malia Kahalewai in 2013. 

Eight years ago, Lavoie was initially sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole, plus 20 years, following his jury conviction of second-degree murder and three firearms charges in 2015. However, Lavoie appealed the convictions, and the state Supreme Court sent the case for re-trial, with the court’s ruling that testimony regarding five previous domestic violence acts by Lavoie shouldn’t have been permitted at the trial, according to The Maui News.  …

Murder Investigation in Death of Molokai Woman

Wednesday, November 30th, 2022

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

The investigation is ongoing in the murder of a 43-year-old Molokai woman last week. On Nov. 19 at 5:46 p.m., Molokai emergency dispatchers received a 911 call from a male about a possible murder at his house, according to police. When police officers arrived, they found the lifeless body of a female, who was later identified as Amie Kaholoaa. The man, who police later said was 59-year-old Mariano Garces, could not be found in the area by police.

At 6 a.m. the next day, Garces returned to his house and was placed under arrest for murder in the second degree, according to police.…

Davis Pleads No Contest to 2014 Murder

Friday, January 22nd, 2016

Molokai’s Jeffery Kalani Davis changed his not guilty plea on Jan. 4 in the case involving the death of Molokai resident Koshari Kahikili Waits. On the day the jury selection process for his trial was set to begin, Davis pled no contest to manslaughter and two gun offenses—prohibited possession of a firearm and use of a firearm in commission of a felony. Manslaughter is a lesser crime than the second degree murder charge he would have been facing had the case gone to trial. Manslaughter covers cases of death caused by recklessness and where extreme mental or emotional states are a factor, while second degree murder covers cases of intentional homicide.…