10-24-23 (Update) Retired Police Commander Charged for Violating Restraining Order, Attempted Burglary, and Assault

Hawai‘i Police Department
Area II Juvenile Aid Section
Lieutenant Bobbie-Jo Sagon
Phone: (808) 326-4646, Ext. 230
Report No.: 23-100218

Media Release

Detectives with Hawai’i Police Department’s Area II Juvenile Aid Section have arrested and charged former Hawai’i Police Department Assistant Chief Mitchell Kanehailua Jr. with numerous offenses, including violation of a restraining order, attempted burglary, and assault, stemming from a domestic dispute in Kailua-Kona on Sunday, October 22, 2023.  

At around 5:14 a.m. on Sunday, Kona patrol officers responded to a possible domestic dispute in the 73-4000 block of Hawai‘i Belt Road in Kailua-Kona. Responding officers contacted the 41-year-old female victim who reported a violation of a protective order. The woman reported that her ex-boyfriend, Kanehailua Jr., entered onto her property and attempted to gain access into her residence.

Kanehailua Jr. was then contacted outside the victim’s residence by a 47-year-old female witness/victim, who he unsuccessfully attempted to strike. Shortly after, he was contacted by several male parties and detained pending officers’ arrival.

Kanehailua Jr. was initially placed under arrest for the violation of the order of protection and harassment.

After conferring with the Department of the Attorney General, Kanehailua Jr. was charged on Monday evening, October 23, with the following offenses and his bail was set at $9,000:

  • Violation of a protective order
  • First-degree attempted burglary
  • Third-degree assault
  • Third-degree attempted assault

Kanehailua Jr. remains in police custody pending his initial hearing scheduled for Tuesday, October 24, in Kona District Court.


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