Police have identified the terroristic threatening suspect shot and killed by officers Saturday afternoon in Hawaiian Paradise Park as 30-year-old Kaena Kaohu of Keaau.
Also released late Monday afternoon were two videos with audio partially redacted taken by body-worn cameras on two Puna patrol officers involved in the pursuit and the shooting.
The two patrol officers and two East Hawaii Criminal Investigation detectives were involved in the pursuit from a residence on 26th Avenue in HPP into a wooded area behind the house toward 27th Avenue.
Kaohu, police said, was wanted for a domestic dispute with a 32-year-old brother that took place late Friday night in Orchidland. Police say Kaohu, who was armed with a handgun, fled and eluded capture by police. Kaohu also had an unrelated active bench warrant for his arrest, according to police.
“We are sharing the (body-worn cameras) footage as part of our ongoing commitment to provide transparency to the communities we serve,” said Chief Benjamin Moszkowicz. “These videos, while difficult to watch, demonstrate the extremely dangerous situations the men and women of the Hawaii Police Department face, in their efforts to keep our communities safe.”
The video shows officers running across a field, through brush, up an embankment and through a forested area. During the foot pursuit, a shot is fired by Kaohu, police said, and officers can be seen taking cover and broadcasting “shots fired” over the radio.
Police said a partial radio transmission heard about a minute later is an officer asking, “Is the suspect in custody?”
According to police, however, only a portion of the transmission is audible, and the officers at the scene heard “suspect in custody.”
Believing that Kaohu had been captured, they begin walking through the woods, looking for the handgun Kaohu had been carrying, police said.
As the officers approach the area where they last heard the suspect, other officers on 27th Avenue see Kaohu, holding a gun in his hands, police said, and approaching a nearby fence line.
The officers begin shouting at him to, “Put the gun down. Drop the gun down.” Instead, police said Kaohu turned and walked back into the woods.
An officer commands Kaohu to, “Put your hands up.” Instead, according to police, Kaohu brings the gun up with both hands, assumes a shooting stance, and points his gun at the officer.
Kaohu then fired at least one round at the officer. The officer fired at least one round back at Kaohu before falling backwards to the ground and telling his partners that he was hit by a bullet, directly or by ricochet. According to police, a shot from Kaohu hit the officer’s Taser holster.
After the first officer is knocked to the ground, officers inform their backup that the suspect is still armed and shooting at them. Officers continued to give verbal commands for Kaohu to drop the gun and roll onto his stomach. Numerous shots are fired by officers, who handcuff Kaohu and attempt to provide first aid, according to police.
The four officers have been placed on paid administrative leave, as both criminal and internal affairs investigations are conducted.
Police ask potential witnesses to call the police department’s nonemergency line at (808) 935-3311 or Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300.
