Maui Police Department vehicles are shown in February 2022. The Maui News file photo

By The Maui News

KAHULUI – A 46-year-old Lahaina male is in police custody for murder in the second-degree after a 53-year-old man was found unresponsive after suffering from a severe injury to his arm Saturday morning in Kaanapali, according to the Maui Police Department (MPD).

The MPD stated an eyewitness described observing a 46-year-old Lahaina male standing over the victim’s body before fleeing the scene in a red 2007 Honda Element.

At approximately 1:08 p.m., officers located the Honda, abandoned off Honoapiilani Highway in the Olowalu area.

On Saturday, July 20, at approximately 11:46 a.m., Lahaina patrol officers initially responded to the area of 2010 Honoapiilani Highway in Kaanapali in regards to a suspicious type case.

Upon arrival, a bystander led MPD officers to a male who was observed to be breathing but was unresponsive and suffering from a severe injury to his arm, according to the MPD.

“A tourniquet was applied to the male’s arm by a responding officer, who then began life-saving measures until fire and medic personnel arrived on the scene to take over. The male, a 53-year-old from Lahaina, was transported to the Maui Memorial Medical Center in critical condition; however, he succumbed to his injuries before arrival. (The victim’s identity is being withheld for 24 hours to allow his family an opportunity to notify their extended family and friends),” the MPD press release on the incident reads.

At approximately 4:03 p.m., SRT and Lahaina Patrol personnel located the suspected 46-year-old male at Honokawai Park, where he was subsequently placed under arrest for Murder in the Second Degree.

The man remains in police custody, pending charges.

The investigation into the case is ongoing and information will be updated as it becomes available.