Man Wanted for Questioning in Honoli’i Shooting

Scottie Yanagawa. HPD photo.

The Hawai’i Police Department is on the search for 29-year-old Scottie Yanagawa, who is wanted for questioning in connection with a shooting in the Honoli’i area on Jan. 31.

Early in the morning on Jan. 31, officers responded to several reports of gunshots in the Honoli’i lookout area. Upon arrival, police noted evidence of a shooting and closed off Kahoa Street.

Around the same time, officers at Hilo Medical Center on an unrelated incident were notified that a shooting victim had arrived at the emergency room. The victim, a 31-year-old man, was taken to the hospital in a private vehicle following the shooting at the lookout.

The victim underwent surgery at HMC before being transferred to an Oahu hospital in guarded condition for further treatment.

Yanagawa is described as 5-foot-5 and 225 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes. Authorities say he may also now be clean shaven.

In addition to being wanted for questioning, Yanagawa is wanted for escaping from the Hale Nani Correctional Facility on Nov. 19. He is considered armed and dangerous.

Anyone with information regarding Yanagawa’s whereabouts should call the Police Department’s non-emergency line at 935-3311 or contact Detective Todd Pataray directly via phone at 961-2383 or e-mai [email protected].

Those who prefer to remain anonymous should call the Big Island Crime Stoppers number at 961-8300.

HPD cautions the public against approaching Yanagawa.