UPDATE: Murder on Bayfront: Police Ask for Witnesses

Updated 12/31/2012 at 11:15 a.m.

Responding to several calls reporting possible gunshots in the vicinity of Mo`oheau park in Hilo on Saturday night (Dec. 29), Hawaii Police Department personnel arrived to find a body lying along the Bayfront Highway in Hilo.

The unresponsive male victim was observed to have suffered multiple gunshot wounds. Police later identified the man as 32-year-old Faafetai Fiu of Hilo.

HPD personnel closed the Bayfront Highway from Pauahi Street to Waianuenue Avenue while detectives from the Area I Criminal Investigations Section responded. The highway is expected to remain closed through Sunday. Traffic is being routed onto Kamehameha Avenue in Downtown Hilo.

While an autopsy is scheduled for Wednesday morning to determine the exact cause of the victim’s death, the incident has been classified as a second-degree murder.

HPD detectives continue to investigate the shooting, and the suspect remains at large.

Update:

Police are asking that anyone with information or who may have witnessed this incident to contact detectives investigating the crime.

Authorities are especially interested in interviewing fishermen, motorists or pedestrians who were in the area and witnessed a confrontation near a silver or light-colored vehicle that was parked on the makai shoulder of the highway. The vehicle was reportedly just makai of the Moʻoheau ball field.

Anyone with information should contact Detective Robert Almeida at 961-2386 or email [email protected].

The public can also reach Detective Norbert Serrao at 961-2383 or email [email protected]

Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona. Successful tips may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.