Maui police launch second degree murder investigation following death of Lahaina man

Update: 4:44 p.m., Monday, July 22, 2024

Maui police have identified the victim from Saturday’s murder investigation as Sione Paletua, 53, of Wailuku.  The Maui Police Department extended condolences to Paletua’s family and friends.

On Monday, July 22, 2024, Seniola Kafoa Jr., 46, of Lahaina was charged with second degree attempted 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 second degree murder investigation into the death of a 53-year-old Lahaina man on Saturday in Kāʻanapali.

Lahaina Patrol Officers responded to the area of 2010 Honoapiʻilani Highway in response to a suspicious type case at around 11:46 a.m. on July 20, 2024. Upon arrival, a bystander led officers to a man who was observed to be breathing but was unresponsive and suffering from a severe injury to his arm.  

A tourniquet was applied to the man’s arm by a responding officer, who then began life-saving measures until fire and medic personnel arrived on the scene to take over care.  The man was transported to the Maui Memorial Medical Center in critical condition; however, he succumbed to his injuries before arrival, police said. His identity is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

A preliminary investigation reveals 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 located the vehicle, abandoned off Honoapi’ilani Highway in Olowalu. At approximately 4:03 p.m., Special Response Team and Lahaina Patrol personnel located the man at Honokōwai Park, where he was placed under arrest for suspicion of second degree murder.  He remains in police custody, pending charges. 

The investigation is ongoing.