Hawai‘i Island police detectives identified the male driver in a recent officer-involved-shooting as 32-year-old Kainoa Kahele-Bishop of Kailua-Kona. On Friday, March 10, Area II Vice detectives received information that Ronald Kahihikolo, who at the time was wanted for attempted murder and outstanding bench warrants, was in the Kona area, and in the company of several individuals who were in a stolen silver Chevy Malibu and a white Dodge sedan. Officers observed the Chevy Malibu traveling southbound on Kamakaeha Avenue. As the Malibu came to a stop detectives attempted to contact the vehicle’s occupants. Ignoring the officers’ commands to show them his hands, Bishop began reaching for an object. Fearing for their safety, two detectives discharged their duty weapons, striking him. Bishop then drove the vehicle across all lanes of Palani Road and down an embankment before coming to a stop. When detectives arrived at the vehicle they discovered that Bishop had injuries and immediately started life-saving measures which were unsuccessful as he died at the scene. After a search warrant was executed on the vehicle, Detectives recovered two firearms. Vehicle passenger Jacqueline Keanaaina, of Kailua-Kona, suffered minor injuries in the crash and was treated by HFD medics at the scene before getting arrested for an outstanding warrant and transported to the Kealakehe Police Station.One detective sustained minor injuries and was provided with first aid at the scene. As these events were unfolding, the white Dodge sedan, believed to be driven by Kahihikolo, was seen traveling northbound towards Waimea. Shortly before noon Kahihikolo abandoned the vehicle in the area of Highway 19 near the 40 mile marker in the lower Kalopa area, fleeing the area on foot. Police conducted an extensive manhunt for Kahihikolo, who was arrested near Highway 19 at the 39.5 mile marker in the Hāmākua area on Saturday, March 11. Detectives from the Area II Criminal Investigation Section are continuing to investigate the officer-involved-shooting. The Office of Professional Standards has initiated an internal administrative investigation. The involved detectives are 25-year and 13-year veterans, respectively, and have been placed on administrative leave pending an internal review of this incident. Police ask anyone with information on this incident to contact the police department’s non-emergency number at (808) 935-3311, or Area II Criminal Investigation Section Detective Jason Foxworthy, via email at Jason.Foxworthy@hawaiicounty.gov or at (808) 326-4646 ext. 281.
