Two men charged with murder after Kahului assault; effort underway to help victim’s family
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Two men have been charged with second-degree murder, first-degree robbery and second-degree assault after a 71-year-old man was fatally wounded in an attack Thursday night in Kahului, according to Maui police.
Dispatch received a report of an assault involving a possible firearm at about 11:12 p.m. near Lalo and Hukilike streets. Police said Alfred Kailihiwa, 71, and his 73-year-old sister had been driving in the area to feed stray cats when they encountered two men and a woman who confronted them about the use of bright headlights.
A GoFundMe organized on behalf of Kailihiwa's family identifies his sister as Valerie Kailihiwa.
During the encounter, Alfred Kailihiwa deployed pepper spray toward the three before leaving the area, according to police. The three then followed Alfred and Valerie Kailihiwa to Lalo Street, where they confronted them again, police said. Alfred Kailihiwa was struck multiple times in the head, causing him to fall to the ground, and was then kicked while he was down.
Valerie Kailihiwa was pushed to the ground, after which the suspects attempted to take her vehicle and took her flashlight before fleeing the area, police said.
Alfred Kailihiwa suffered critical, life-threatening injuries and was taken to Maui Memorial Medical Center. His sister sustained minor injuries.
On Friday, police found a vehicle believed to be associated with the suspects near mile marker 12.5 on Honoapiilani Highway, and a 34-year-old Wailuku man was taken into custody.
A second vehicle was located in the parking lot at 111 Kahului Beach Road, where a 31-year-old man and a woman from Mauna Loa were taken into custody.
Alfred Kailihiwa died from his injuries Friday evening.
The two men were subsequently charged with second-degree murder, first-degree robbery and second-degree assault. Bail was set at $530,000 each.
Police said the woman remained in custody pending further investigation.
A GoFundMe page is raising money for Kailihiwa's funeral and memorial costs and other family expenses.
As of Monday morning, the fundraiser had raised $28,379 toward a $30,000 goal from 294 donations.
According to the fundraiser, any money remaining after those expenses will be used to buy cat food for Maui caretakers and trappers.
The GoFundMe described Kailihiwa as a beloved member of Maui's cat community who regularly fed and trapped cats with his sister.
The investigation is ongoing.
Editor’s note: This article has been updated to include information about the GoFundMe page that’s been created to help pay for Kailihiwa's funeral costs and other family expenses.