Detectives with the Hawai’i County Police Department’s Area II Juvenile Aid Section arrested and charged former HPD Assistant Chief Mitchell Kanehailua Jr. with numerous offenses, including violation of a restraining order, attempted burglary, and assault, stemming from a recent domestic dispute. On October 22, Kona patrol officers responded to a possible domestic dispute in Kailua-Kona and contacted a 41-year-old female who reported a violation of a protective order and said her ex-boyfriend, Kanehailua Jr., entered onto her property and attempted to gain access into her residence.
Kanehailua Jr., who retired from the force in September 2019, was contacted outside the victim’s residence by a 47-year-old female witness/victim, who he unsuccessfully attempted to strike. Shortly after, he was contacted by several male parties and detained pending officers’ arrival. He was initially placed under arrest for the violation of the order of protection and harassment.
After conferring with the Department of the Attorney General, Kanehailua Jr. was charged with the following offenses. His his bail was set at $9,000: • Violation of a protective order• First-degree attempted burglary• Third-degree assault• Third-degree attempted assault