Kawaihae assault investigation reclassified as homicide following victim’s death

Hawaiʻi Island police have reclassified an assault that took place on Saturday evening in Kawaihae as a homicide following the victim’s death.

At 10:23 p.m., officers responded to a residence on Kaloʻoloʻo Drive in Kawaihae after receiving a report of an unresponsive woman inside a vehicle parked in front of the residence on Saturday, Jan. 3.

During the investigation, police learned that the woman, later identified as 40-year-old Leah Bannister of Kurtistown, had reportedly been involved in a physical altercation at the residence with several other individuals.

Police further learned that following the altercation, Bannister entered a Nissan SUV and accelerated in the direction of a minor girl and an adult man. Bannister then reportedly continued forward and collided with a nearby parked vehicle occupied by two children.

The Nissan SUV then reversed a short distance before a man, identified as 38-year-old Heʻenalu Luta, reportedly approached the driver’s side window and punched Bannister, causing her to lose consciousness.

Bannister was transported by Hawai‘i Fire Department medics to Queen’s North Hawaiʻi Community Hospital in serious condition, and Luta was arrested for first-degree assault. Following consultation with the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney, it was determined that, based on the circumstances of the incident, Luta be released pending further investigation.

However, police reclassified the case as a homicide after Bannister succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead at Queen’s North Hawaiʻi Community Hospital at 5:22 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. An autopsy will be scheduled to determine the exact cause of death.

Police did not have Luta’s mug shot available at this time.

Investigators from the Area II Criminal Investigation Section are continuing the investigation and police ask anyone with information regarding this incident to contact Detective Bradley Llanes of the Area II Criminal Investigation Section at bradley.llanes@hawaiipolice.gov.

Tipsters can call the police department non-emergency line at (808) 935-3311, and those who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300.