Former assistant police chief arrested in Kona

File photo of Mitchell Kanehailua.
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A former Hawaii Police Department assistant chief who retired in 2019 was arrested Sunday morning in Kona for violating a restraining order.

At around 5:14 a.m. on Sunday, Kona patrol officers responded to a possible domestic dispute in the 73-4000 block of Hawaii Belt Road in Kailua-Kona.

The officers contacted the 41-year-old female victim, who reported a violation of a protective order. The woman reported that her ex-boyfriend, 57-year-old Mitchell Kanehailua Jr. of Hilo, entered onto her property and attempted to gain access into her residence.

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

Kanehailua was placed under arrest for violation of an order of protection and harassment. He was transported to the Kealakehe Police Station where he remains in custody as detectives with Area II Juvenile Aid Section continue this investigation.