Molokaʻi Man Indicted for Allegations of Murder in Mapulehu

Jeffrey Kalani Davis. Photo courtesy Maui Police.

By Maui Now Staff

A Molokaʻi man was arrested on Friday, Dec. 12, 2014, on the strength of a grand jury indictment for second degree murder in a case involving the the death of a 20-year-old resident earlier this year, police said.

Police say that under the indictment, Jeffrey Kalani Davis, 39, of Kaunakakai, was also arrested for carrying or use of a firearm in the commission of a separate felony, ownership or possession of a prohibited firearm, and place to keep a pistol or revolver.

An initial arrest of Davis was made a day following the alleged incident, but he was released pending further investigation.

Davis is currently being held in lieu of $1.2 million for the indictment.

The indictment stems from an incident that occurred on May 20, 2014, involving the death of Koshari Kahikili, 20, of Mapulehu, Molokaʻi.

According to police reports, Kahikili was found motionless on a dirt roadway near Mile 15 of the Kamehameha Highway in Mapulehu.

Police say his body was discovered by a passing moped operator.

Officers, medics, and fire personnel responded to the scene, but were unable to revive the man and pronounced him dead at the scene, according to police reports.

Police say an investigation revealed that the male individual sustained an apparent head injury.

Police classified the incident as a suspicious death.

Police today said an investigation by the Criminal Investigation Division on Molokaʻi revealed that Davis was involved.

A Facebook page, In loving memory of Koshari Nalu Kahikili Waits was published in May following the incident as a way for friends and family remember Koshari through messages and photographs.

***Wendy Osher contributed to this report.