Maui police launch murder investigation after fatal assault in Kahului

Maui police have launched a second degree murder investigation into the death of a 71-year-old man in Kahului, Thursday night.

The incident was reported at around 11:12 p.m. on Aug. 6, 2026, as an assault with a possible firearm near the intersection of Lalo and Hukilike Street.

Upon arrival, officers located a 71-year-old man and his 73-year-old sister, both of Waiheʻe, who reported they had been driving in the area that evening to feed stray cats when they encountered three individuals, two males and a female, who confronted them regarding the use of bright headlights. During that encounter, the male victim deployed pepper spray toward the individuals before leaving.

The three people they encountered, then followed the siblings to Lalo Street, where were confronted again. “During the confrontation, the male victim was struck multiple times in the head, causing him to fall to the ground, and then was kicked while he was down,” according to a department news release.

The female victim was pushed to the ground, after which the suspects attempted to take her vehicle and took her flashlight before fleeing the area, police said.

As a result of the attack, the female victim sustained minor injuries; the male victim sustained critical, life-threatening injuries and was transported to Maui Memorial Medical Center for further treatment.  On Friday evening, the 71-year-old male victim, identified as Alfred Kailihiwa, succumbed to his injuries and died.

On Friday, Aug. 7, 2026, one of the vehicles believed to be associated with the suspects was located near Honoapiʻilani Highway at approximately Mile 12.5, where a 34-year-old Wailuku man was taken into custody. The second vehicle was located within the Harbor Lights condominium parking lot at 111 Kahului Beach Road, where a 31-year-old man and a 36-year-old woman, both of Mauna Loa, were taken into custody.

The two male suspects were subsequently charged with second degree murder, first degree robbery, and second degree assault. Bail for each was set at $530,000.

The 36-year-old woman remained in police custody pending further investigation.

The investigation is ongoing.

Police have not released the identity of the suspects saying mug shots, names, and other identifying details are no longer routinely released by the department because of a 9th Circuit ruling that once online, the information remains public indefinitely, even if charges are dropped or the person is found not guilty. However, police say exceptions exist when public safety or crime prevention justifies the release, such as warning the public about dangerous fugitives.