Puna man indicted on possession of unserialized AR-15 style rifle, live green-tipped ammunition  

Ku Manuia, 29 of Puna, was indicted today on charges of felon in possession of firearms and ammunition and ghost gun offenses, according to Hawai’i County Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen.

On Oct. 27, 2022, police contacted Manuia, who was carrying three bags while walking along the shoulder of F Road in the Hawaiian Acres subdivision.

At that time, Manuia was wanted on three unrelated bench warrants. Following his arrest, detectives found Manuia was in possession of a loaded, unserialized AR-15 style rifle and live green-tipped ammunition.  

Manuia is scheduled to make his initial appearance in Hilo Circuit Court on Friday afternoon. He remains in custody in lieu of $25,000 bail.  

As the Indictment alleges, Manuia, who has a prior felony conviction for theft, was charged with four offenses: ownership or possession of a prohibited firearm, ownership or possession of prohibited ammunition, carrying or possessing a loaded firearm on a public highway, and having firearm parts to assemble a firearm with no serial number.

The first three offenses are class B felonies, punishable by a 10-year prison term or four years probation and up to 18 months in jail.  

The investigation was handled by members of the Area I Criminal Investigation Division,  Community Policing, and VICE Unit, Hawai‘i Police Department. The case is being prosecuted  by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Jeff Malate.