A Hilo grand jury indicted 29 year-old Ekolu Keolanui on Murder in the Second Degree charges in relation to a 2019 homicide. The charges stem from a domestic incident where Keolanui is alleged to have strangled his girlfriend, 24 year-old Sable Keffer Young.

As the Indictment alleges, Keolanui is charged with Murder in the Second Degree (intentionally or knowingly caused the death of another person).

Keolanui is scheduled to make his initial appearance in Hilo Circuit Court today. He remains in custody in lieu of $1 million bail in this case.

In a press release Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen said, “Obtaining this indictment is the first step to seeking justice for Sable Keffer-Young and her ‘ohana. I’d like to recognize the hard work of Hawai‘i Police Department Detective Derek Morimoto, Lieutenant Rio Amon-Wilkins, the Area I Criminal Investigation Section, all of the officers who played a role in this investigation, and Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Kevin Hashizaki, who will be handling the prosecution of this case.”

The cold case investigation was handled by Detective Derek Morimoto, Area I Criminal Investigation Section, Hawai‘i Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Kevin Hashizaki.

The charges are merely allegations, and the Defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

 

Photo credit: Hawaiʻi County Prosecuting Attorney