Pāhoa man charged with firearm offenses, outstanding bench warrants

Hawaiʻi Island police have arrested and charged 42-year-old Kawika Benny Kahee with firearm offenses stemming from an incident Sunday, March 8, in the area of Kehau and Mauna Kea Road, in the Nanawale subdivision in Pāhoa.

At 7:34 a.m., Puna patrol officers were conducting area checks on a power line road — service roads used by utility companies to maintain overhead high-voltage power lines — in Nanawale when they came upon two vehicles, including a white Toyota pickup truck with Kahee standing outside of it.

Kahee was placed under arrest for two outstanding bench warrants. The other vehicle was occupied by a woman. Officers determined she had no outstanding warrants and observed no violations.

While placing Kahee under arrest, officers observed a black semi-automatic pistol on the front passenger seat of the pickup truck. Kahee was subsequently arrested for place to keep pistols or revolvers. The vehicle was recovered as evidence and towed to the Hilo Police Station pending execution of a search warrant.

Upon executing a search warrant on the pickup truck, detectives recovered an unloaded semi-automatic 9mm pistol with no serial number, commonly referred to as a “ghost gun.” Detectives also determined that Kahee is prohibited from owning or possessing firearms due to a prior felony conviction involving violence.

On Monday morning, March 9, after conferring with the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney, Kahee was charged with:

• Place to keep pistols/revolvers
• Ownership or possession prohibited
• Possession of prohibited weapons

His bail was set at $120,000. Kahee was also charged for two outstanding bench warrants with bail totaling $15,000. He was scheduled to make his initial court appearance Monday afternoon in Hilo District Court.

Police ask anyone who may have information to contact Detective Joseph Picadura of the Area I Criminal Investigation Section at 808-961-2375 or Joseph.Picadura@hawaiipolice.gov.