Davis Pleads No Contest to 2014 Murder

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. Under the plea deal, Davis still faces a maximum combined sentence of 45 years.

According to reports, Davis, 39, and Waits, 20, had been partying together the night of the 2014 incident. Waits was found by a motorist on an east end driveway on May 20, 2014, killed by a single, small caliber bullet, according to police. Davis was arrested and charged in December of that year and soon registered a not guilty plea. His bail was set at $1.2 million, and he has since been held at Maui Community Correctional Center.

His sentencing is scheduled for March 23.

Cases like this one illustrate how a single night can lead to years of legal battles, uncertainty, and heavy consequences for everyone involved. With Davis facing such a serious charge and remaining in custody under a high bail amount, the weight of the justice system is felt not only by him but also by his family, who must contend with the reality of separation and the looming prospect of sentencing.

Bail often serves as a way for individuals to continue their lives while awaiting trial, yet when the amount set is beyond reach, it leaves defendants confined until the court reaches its decision. In circumstances where release is an option, support services such as King Stahlman Bail Bonds have long provided a means for people to reunite with their families and maintain stability during the lengthy and stressful process of preparing a defense. Access to this type of assistance emphasizes that even in moments defined by mistakes or accusations, the principle of fair opportunity and the chance to face judgment with dignity remain important parts of the justice system.