Maui Man Arrested and Charged in Death of Aunt

Keoni Vinuya Tomas. Photo courtesy Maui Police Department.

By Maui Now Staff

A Maui man was arrested and charged for second degree murder in the death of Gail Otsuka of Kahului.

Police say Keoni Vinuya Tomas, 25, was arrested at 11:15 a.m. on Monday, March 23, on the strength of a no bail bench warrant issued by Judge Rhonda Loo in the case.

Otsuka was the sister of Tomas’ grandmother, according to Maui Police Lt. William Juan.

Tomas was transported from the Maui Community Correctional Center to the Wailuku Police Station for processing and returned without incident, according to police reports.

Tomas is the same individual that was charged in connection with the alleged stabbing death of his mother, Kimberly Vinuya, 43, at a Makaliʻi Street home on Monday, March 9, 2015.

Details Released in Otsuka Homicide Investigation:

Police say the victim in the Jan. 2, 2015 incident, Gail Otsuka, was found alone within a Molokaʻi Akau Street residence in Kahului.

Maui police released further information earlier this month saying detectives on scene during the Jan. 2, incident interviewed individuals that led them to Keoni V. Tomas.

Police say Tomas was brought to the station for questioning; however, he asked for a lawyer. Police say detectives noticed cuts on his hands, at which time he was arrested for on suspicion of second degree murder.

After conferring with the Prosecutor’s Office, police say it was determined at the time that the department would release Tomas pending further investigation.

Evidence recovered from the scene was sent to Oʻahu for DNA analysis.