Murder Investigation Launched into Assault at Kalama Park

Kalama Park montage by Wendy Osher.

By Wendy Osher

Police have launched a second-degree murder investigation into a fight reported at Kalama Park last month, in which one man suffered critical life-threatening injuries and later died as a result, according to police.

Police have since arrested a Kīhei man and two juvenile males in connection with the investigation.

The victim has also been identified as Michael “Smiley” Phillip Gray, who died at around 10:55 p.m. on Friday, April 11, 2014, according to police.

The investigation stems from an incident reported at around 9:40 p.m. on Saturday, March 15, 2014, near a pavilion by the skate rink at Kalama Park.

According to police reports, a Kīhei patrol officer was flagged down by a lone male exiting the park, who informed him that there was a fight going on, and a man was very badly beaten and in need of assistance.

The officer made checks within the park and discovered a 44-year-old man laying unconscious on the ground and suffering from multiple injuries, said Lieutenant William Juan in an earlier department press release.

Due to the death, the case has been re-classified from an attempted murder investigation, into a second-degree murder investigation.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers or Detective Mahoney of the Criminal Investigation Division at (808) 875-5409.