Update on Kāʻanapali murder investigation: Victim identified; Lahaina man held on $500,000 bail: Maui Now

To update: 16:44, Monday, July 22, 2024

Maui Police have identified the victim of Saturday’s homicide investigation as Sione Paletua, 53, of Wailuku. Maui Police sent condolences to Paletua’s family and friends.

On Monday, July 22, 2024, Seniola Kafoa Jr., 46, of Lahaina was charged with attempted second-degree murder. Kafoa remains in police custody with bail set at $500,000.

The investigation is ongoing.

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Maui Police have launched a first-degree murder investigation into the death of a 53-year-old Lahaina man who died in Kāʻanapali on Saturday.

Lahaina Patrol Officers responded to the area of ​​2010 Honoapiʻilani Highway at approximately 11:46 a.m. on July 20, 2024, on a suspicious incident. Upon arrival, a passerby directed officers to a man who was breathing but unresponsive and suffering from a serious injury to his arm.

An officer placed a tourniquet on the man’s arm and began life-saving measures until firefighters and paramedics arrived on scene to take over care. The man was taken to Maui Memorial Medical Center in critical condition, but he succumbed to his injuries before arrival, police said. His identity is not being released pending notification of next of kin.

A preliminary investigation revealed that an eyewitness observed a 46-year-old Lahaina man standing over the victim’s body before fleeing the scene in a red 2007 Honda Element. At approximately 1:08 p.m., officers found the vehicle parked on Honoapi’ilani Highway in Olowalu. At approximately 4:03 p.m., the Special Response Team and Lahaina Patrol located the man in Honokōwai Park, where he was arrested on suspicion of first-degree murder.