Hawaiʻi Police Department
Criminal Investigations Section, Area I
Lieutenant Gregory Esteban
Phone: 961-2252
Report No. C15034660
Media Release
Detectives have arrested the suspect of a shooting that left a 39-year-old Hilo man dead.
At 10:15 a.m. Saturday (November 28), detectives from the Area I Criminal Investigations Section and officers from the Special Enforcement Unit located 34-year-old Kalani Lono Kaohimaunu in the Kalapana area and arrested him without incident on suspicion of second-degree murder. He remains at the Hilo police cellblock while detectives continue the investigation.
Detectives have recovered a dark blue Honda 4-door sedan.
Detectives also arrested a 52-year-old Keaʻau woman who was with Kaohimaunu on offenses unrelated to the murder. Charity Kumia remains in police custody on suspicion of altering a motor vehicle serial number and fraudulent use of license plates.
Kaohimaunu’s arrest stems from a shooting that was reported on the 100 block of West Kawailani Street on Thanksgiving evening, (November 26). Responding South Hilo Patrol officers found an unresponsive man outside the residence with apparent gunshot wounds. Witnesses reported hearing gunshots at the residence and told police that a car fled the scene.
The victim was identified as 39-year-old Keola Penovaroff of Hilo and he was pronounced dead at Hilo Medical Center. An autopsy is scheduled for Tuesday to determine the exact cause of death.
Police continue to ask that anyone who may have witnessed the shooting call Detective Todd Pataray at 961-2382 or email him at todd.pataray@hawaiicounty.gov.
Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call the island wide Crime Stoppers number at 961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.00. Crime Stoppers is a volunteer program run by ordinary citizens who want to keep their community safe. Crime Stoppers does not record calls or subscribed to any Caller ID service. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.