5-12-23 O‘okala Man Arrested and Charged with Firearm and Drug Offenses

Hawai‘i Police Department
Criminal Investigation Division – Area I
Captain Rio Amon-Wilkins
Phone: (808) 961-2251
Report No.: 23-044599

Media Release

Hawai‘i Island police have arrested and charged 30-year-old Chace Kakela Gambill with an array of firearms and drug offenses.  

The charges against Gambill stem from an incident reported on Saturday, May 6, 2023, shortly after 5:00 p.m., when passing motorists observed a male carrying a rifle, walking along Highway 19 within the Ka‘awali‘i Gulch in O‘okala. Responding officers located Gambill, who matched the description provided by the callers. Upon contact with Gambill, he was not in possession of a rifle; however, officers canvassed the area, and located a shotgun hidden behind a guardrail within close proximity to Gambill.

Upon being arrested, Gambill was found in possession of ammunition of the same caliber as the recovered firearm and a glass smoking pipe with a crystal-like residue.

Area I Criminal Investigation Section detectives later served a search warrant on Gambill’s fanny-pack that was on his person upon arrest, which led to the recovery of additional ammunition and .4 grams of methamphetamine.

On Monday morning, May 8, after conferring with County Prosecutors, detectives charged Gambill with the following offenses:

  • place to keep firearm
  • place to keep ammunition
  • two-counts ownership or possession prohibited
  • third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug
  • drug paraphernalia  

Bail was set at $71,000.

Gambill remained in police custody pending his initial court appearance on Tuesday afternoon, May 9, in Hilo District Court.


This entry was posted in Media Releases. Bookmark the permalink. Both comments and trackbacks are currently closed.
  • Keep your community safe through Crime Stoppers

    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 subscribe to any Caller ID service. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.

    The Crime Stoppers TV Program is available on-demand from Nā Leo TV.