Maui jury finds extended terms warranted for protection of the public in Officer O murder case

After last week’s finding of defendant Clembert Alii Kaneholani guilty of murder in the first degree and other charges in the death of Maui Police Department Officer Suzanne O, a Maui jury today returned verdicts finding that the defendant should be subject to extended terms of imprisonment for the protection of the public.

Kaneholani, 39, now faces life imprisonment without the possibility of parole for the murder conviction, and up to life imprisonment with the possibility of parole for use of a firearm in the commission of a separate felony. He faces up to 40 additional years of imprisonment for the remaining three firearm-related convictions.

On Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, the jury found Kaneholani guilty of murder in the first degree, reckless endangering in the first degree and multiple firearm-related offenses in the death of Officer O, who was killed in the line of duty while responding to an in-progress terroristic threatening incident at the Pāʻia Sugar Mill off Baldwin Avenue on Aug. 15, 2025.

On Monday, Oct. 12, the same 12-member jury returned the verdicts for extended terms of imprisonment for the protection of the public.

“I want to recognize Prosecuting Attorney Andrew Martin and his team, the Maui Police Department and everyone who worked tirelessly to bring justice in this case,” said Mayor Richard Bissen. “Officer O’s tragic loss has been deeply felt by her family, her fellow officers and our entire community. While no verdict can ever ease the pain of losing her, I hope today’s outcome brings some measure of peace and comfort to those who loved her and served alongside her.”

County of Maui Prosecuting Attorney Andrew H. Martin said the prosecution will ask the Court to impose the maximum sentence allowed by law. Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 18, 2026, before the Honorable Peter T. Cahill, who presided over the four-week trial.

“I want to thank the jury for their thoughtful deliberations. The evidence in this case was extremely difficult for them to experience, and their commitment to reaching a just verdict is deeply appreciated,” Martin said. “While this verdict cannot heal the grief and pain felt by Officer O’s family, friends, colleagues and loved ones, we hope that it brings some sense of justice for them. I would like to thank our many partners for their tireless efforts in ensuring that justice for Officer O was achieved in this case, especially Dan Hoffman and Samantha Karner with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Lance Sullivan with the FBI and Officer O’s colleagues in MPD’s Criminal Investigation Division.”

The case was prosecuted by Prosecuting Attorney Andrew H. Martin and Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Chad Kumagai, assisted by Deputy Prosecuting Attorneys Mica Metter, Johann Smith and Amanda Bettinelli. It was investigated by MPD’s Criminal Investigation Division, with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).