Crime

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.…

Two Shooters Charged with Attempted Murder

Wednesday, October 21st, 2015

Two Molokai men were arrested and charged with first degree attempted murder for shooting two men in Ho`olehua last Wednesday, Oct. 14. Thirty-two-year-old Chad Kaipo Naehu of Kaunakakai and 26-year-old Travis Torres of Ho`olehua turned themselves in to the Molokai Police Station at about 10:15 p.m. that night, according to police. Both are being held on Maui on $1 million bails.

The two men they shot were hospitalized after each sustained a gunshot wound. A 52-year-old man was shot in the neck and was transported to Oahu in critical condition. The second victim, a 37-year-old man, was shot in the rear and also flown to Oahu, in guarded condition.…

Man Dies in Gunshot Accident

Wednesday, October 14th, 2015

A 24-year-old Molokai man from Maunaloa died after accidentally shooting himself with a gun in Kaluakoi on Oct. 5. Marianito Alavazo was with two friends at the time, according to police. He was treated at the scene by emergency personnel, who received a 911 call from a Molokai resident reporting the accident just before 4 p.m.

Alavazo was flown to Maui Memorial Medical Center in critical condition, and he died the following day.

Molokai police recovered the gun that was involved, though they have not released details surrounding its discharge. The police department is continuing an investigation into this case.…