Full Notification

Hawaiʻi Police Department
Criminal Investigations Division, Area I
Captain Robert Wagner
Phone: 961-2251
Report No. C15034660


Media Release (update with latest sighting of suspect)

Hawaiʻi Island police are investigating a murder in Hilo on Thursday night (November 26).

In response to a 10:20 p.m. call Thursday, South Hilo Patrol officers arrived at a home on the 100 block of West Kawailani Street and found an unresponsive man outside the residence with a gunshot wound. Witnesses reported hearing gunshots and said a car fled from the scene.

The victim was taken to Hilo Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 10:57 p.m. He has been identified as 39-year-old Keola Penovaroff of Hilo.

Police have identified a suspect as 34-year-old Kalani Lono Kaohimaunu. He is described as 5-foot 10, 160 pounds with brown hair. He was last seen in Kalapana at 9 a.m. Friday (November 27) driving a dark blue Honda 4-door sedan.

Police caution anyone who sees him not to approach him, as he is considered armed and dangerous. Instead, anyone who knows his whereabouts is asked to call the Police Department’s non-emergency line at 935-3311 or contact Detective Todd Pataray at 961-2382 or [email protected].

Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call the islandwide Crime Stoppers number at 961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. Crime Stoppers is a volunteer program run by ordinary citizens who want to keep their community safe. Crime Stoppers doesn’t record calls or subscribe to caller ID. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.



PHOTO ID:
Kalani Lono Kaohimaunu
(image from 2005)