Woman in stolen car during police shooting in Kona indicted on 18 offenses

A Kona grand jury indicted Jacqueline Keanaaina, 26 of Kailua-Kona, for 18 offenses in relation to two incidents, including one on March 10 when she was a passenger in a stolen vehicle while the driver was shot and killed by police on Palani Road in Kona.

She also was indicted last week in relation to her involvement in an attempted burglary on Feb. 26 at a residence on Tiki Lane in Ocean View, according to the Hawaiʻi County Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen.

Keanaaina made her initial appearance on Tuesday in Kona Circuit Court. Her trial was set for Aug. 15, 2023 at 8:30 am before the Honorable Judge Wendy M. DeWeese. She remains in custody in lieu of $100,000 bail. 

On the morning of March 10, plainclothes detectives with the Hawai‘i Police Department were searching for two stolen vehicles that a tipster told them involved Ronald Kahihikolo, who was a suspect in an attempted murder case. He was accused of shooting his girlfriend in the head with a shotgun.

As the detectives canvassed the area, they spotted a silver Chevy Malibu that matched the description of one of the stolen vehicles as it was traveling southbound on Kamakaeha Avenue. As the Malibu came to a stop at the intersection with Palani Road, the detectives attempted to contact the vehicle’s driver, identified as 32-year-old Kainoa Kahele-Bishop of Kailua-Kona, and his passenger, Keanaaina of Kailua-Kona.

Kahele-Bishop ignored commands to show police his hands and began reaching for an object. Fearing for their safety, two detectives discharged their duty weapons, police said.

Kahele-Bishop died at the scene. Keanaaina suffered minor injuries in the traffic crash. She was treated at the scene and arrested for an outstanding warrant.

Kahihikolo, 44, was arrested after a five-day manhunt.

Keanaaina was charged with these 18 offenses:

• first degree attempted unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle
• first degree resisting order to stop
• first degree attempted burglary
• ownership of possession of prohibited ammunition
• carrying or use of firearm in the commission of a separate felony
• carrying or possessing a loaded firearm on a public highway
• place to keep loaded firearms other than pistols and revolvers
• place to keep unloaded firearms other than pistols and revolvers
• two counts ownership or possession of firearm prohibited (shotgun and rifle)
• eight counts of unauthorized possession of confidential personal information (credit card and/or debit cards).

The most serious offense — carrying or use of firearm in the commission of a separate felony — which carries a penalty of a 20-year prison term.  

The felony investigation was led by Det. Jason Foxworthy and assisted by detectives  Len Hamakado and Donovan Kohara, Area II Criminal Investigations Division, Hawai‘i Police  Department. The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Chase Murray.