Hawai’i Island police charged 31 year-old Puna patrol officer Mark Kealoha Kaili Jr.of Keaau with first-degree burglary and third-degree assault stemming from an August 15 Ka’u incident.

Kaili was arrested at his residence in Hawaiian Paradise Park on Friday, August 18.

The charges against Kaili stem from an incident at a Naalehu residence where two masked men reportedly entered the 20-year-old victim’s home and assaulted him. During the altercation, the victim’s grandfather intervened, and in the process unmasked one of the suspects, later identified as Kaili, who was off-duty during the alleged incident, as well as at the time of his arrest.

The other suspect was immediately identified as 27-year-old Cody Kuaili’aimoku Kanahele, who is the cousin of the victim. Kanahele was arrested and charged with first-degree burglary, and third-degree assault. He was later released from police custody after posting bail, and was given a future court date.

The Area I Criminal Investigation Division and the Office of Professional Standards (Internal Affairs) are continuing this investigation.

The Office of Professional Standards has also initiated a standard internal administrative investigation.

Officer Kaili has been placed on leave without pay pending the outcome of the separate criminal and internal investigations.

 

 

HPD Photo