Human Remains Discovered in Kahikinui, Namauu Charged With 2nd Degree Murder

Justin Namauu

New details have emerged in an alleged shooting and murder investigation in the remote Kahikinui/Kanaio area of East Maui.

Police say unidentified human remains were discovered at around 2:03 p.m. on Friday, May 25, 2018 in Kahikinui.

The remains were recovered but had not been positively identified at last report.

Also on Friday, 42-year-old Justin Namauu of Kula who was held as a suspect in the case, was charged with a list of offenses including second degree murder. He was also charged with kidnapping, felon in possession of a firearm, felon in possession of ammunition, use of firearm in the commission of a separate felony, registration of firearm, place to keep a pistol or revolver, place to keep ammunition and loaded firearm on a highway.

Namauu was being held in lieu of $2 million bail at last report.

The charges stem from an alleged shooting incident that reportedly occurred on Monday, May 21, 2018 at a home in Kanaio.  Sources tell Maui Now that special response personnel with the Maui Police Department scoured the area for hours on Tuesday looking for the suspect.

Namauu was located on Wednesday afternoon in Kahikinui, and was place under arrest in connection with the incident.

Police say the investigation is on-going.

Previous Post: (Wednesday, May 23, 2018, 9:07 p.m.)

On Wednesday, May 23, 2018 at approximately 4:47 p.m., Justin Namauu was located in Kahikinui and placed under arrest on suspicion of Second Degree Murder in connection to a shooting incident that occurred on Monday, May 21, 2018, according to Maui police.  Namauu had not been charged at last report, as the investigation is on-going.

Previous Post: (Wednesday, May 23, 11:12 a.m.)

Maui police launched an investigation on Tuesday afternoon, May 22, 2018 following an alleged shooting reported at a home in the Kanaio area of East Maui.

The alleged suspect was identified as 42-year-old Justin Namauu of Kula. He is described as 5’10” tall, weighing 225 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes. Police tell Maui Now that Namauu is being sought for questioning in this case.

An area off of the Piʻilani Highway near Mile 17 was temporarily closed to the public while police searched for a possible suspect. Sources tell us the road between Kahikinui and Kaupō was blocked off from as early as 5 p.m. on Tuesday and remained closed at midnight. Area residents tell us they ended up driving around the front side of East Maui and through Hāna Town to get home to Kaupō.

Sources tell Maui Now that special response units were on scene late into the night, searching for a suspect involved in an alleged domestic dispute and shooting incident.