UPDATE 2: Hilo Man Charged With Attempted Murder

Helani Kenui. HPD photo.

UPDATE 2: Dec. 28

Hawaiʻi Island police have charged a 35-year-old Pāhoa man in connection with a weapons incident in Hilo on Saturday morning, Dec. 24.

At 5:04 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 27, detectives charged Helani Kenui with one count of attempted first-degree murder, two counts of attempted second-degree murder, two counts of ownership prohibited and one count each of place to keep firearm and use of a firearm in a separate felony.

His bail was set at $1,560,000.

He remains at the Hilo police cellblock pending his initial court appearance scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 28.

At 12:25 p.m. Saturday, South Hilo Patrol officers responded to the 100 block of Makaʻala Street.

Officers contacted a 27-year-old Hilo man, who reported that while in his car at a business on Makaʻala Street, an unknown man brandished a revolver and fired a shot into the driver’s side front window of his vehicle, which was also occupied by a 26-year-old man Hilo man. No one in the car was injured.

At 7:45 p.m. Monday, Dec. 26), Kenui turned himself in at the South Hilo police station. He was initially arrested on suspicion of attempted first-degree murder and held at the police cellblock while detectives from the Area I Criminal Investigations Section continued the investigation.

UPDATE 1: Dec. 27

Hawaiʻi Island police have located a man wanted in connection with an attempted murder in Hilo on Saturday morning, Dec. 24.

At 7:45 p.m. Monday, Dec. 26, 35-year-old Helani Kenui of Pāhoa turned himself in at the South Hilo police station. He was arrested on suspicion of attempted first-degree murder. He is being held at the police cellblock while detectives from the Area I Criminal Investigations Section continue the investigation.

At 12:25 p.m. Saturday, South Hilo Patrol officers responded to the 100 block of Makaʻala Street, after receiving a report of a weapons incident.

Officers contacted a 27-year-old Hilo man, who reported that while in his car at a business on Makaʻala Street, an unknown man brandished a revolver and fired a shot into the driver’s side front window of his vehicle, which was also occupied by a 26-year-old man Hilo man. No one in the car was injured.

Police ask that anyone with information about this incident call the Police Department’s nonemergency line at 935-3311 or contact Detective Dean Uyetake at 961-2379 or dean.uytetake@hawaiicounty.gov.

Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. Crime Stoppers is a volunteer program run by ordinary citizens who want to keep their community safe. Crime Stoppers doesn’t record calls or subscribe to caller ID. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.

ORIGINAL POST: Dec. 26

Hawaiʻi Island police are searching for a man wanted in connection with an attempted murder in Hilo on Saturday morning, Dec. 24.

At 12:25 p.m. Saturday, South Hilo Patrol officers responded to the 100 block of Makaʻala Street, after receiving a report of a weapons incident.

Officers contacted a 27-year-old Hilo man, who reported that while at a business on Makaʻala Street, an unknown man brandished a revolver and fired a shot into the driver’s side front window of his vehicle. The victim was not injured.

Police are seeking 35-year-old Helani Kenui, of Pāhoa. He is described as Hawaiian, 5-foot 8, 200 pounds with brown eyes and black hair.

Police caution the public not to approach Kenue, as he is considered armed and dangerous.

Police ask that anyone with information on this incident or anyone who may know Kenue’s whereabouts call the Police Department’s non-emergency line at 935-3311 or contact Detective Dean Uyetake at 961-2379 or dean.uytetake@hawaiicounty.gov.

Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. Crime Stoppers is a volunteer program run by ordinary citizens who want to keep their community safe. Crime Stoppers doesn’t record calls or subscribe to caller ID. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.