Hawai‘i County Police Department Area II Criminal Investigation Section (CIS) detectives arrested 39-year-old Alexander Alika Akau III of Waikoloa as part of an attempted murder investigation following a reported shooting in Kawaihae.
 
On December 30, South Kohala patrol officers responded to an area known as LSD Beach near Kawaihae Harbor after a 29-year-old Kapaʻau man reported he was shot while driving on Akoni Pule Highway.
 
Police determined the victim was traveling southbound near the entrance to Kohala Ranch when he encountered a sedan driving erratically on Akoni Pule Highway headed south. The victim overtook the sedan, at which point the sedan driver brandished a firearm and discharged it in the direction of the victim’s vehicle which sustained damage as a result of the gunshot, however the victim was not injured.
 
In the course of their investigation, police determined that Akau III was an acquaintance of the victim.
 
Later that day, South Kohala patrol officers conducted a check at a Pau Nani Street residence and arrested Akau III for suspicion of:

• Second-degree attempted murder
• First-degree reckless endangering
• Carrying or possessing a loaded firearm on a public highway
• Reckless driving

Akau III was transported to the Kona Police Station’s Cellblock as Area II CIS detectives continued the investigation. He is being held at the Kona Police Station’s Cellblock and has not yet been charged with any crimes. A vehicle believed to be the sedan Akau III was driving earlier in the day was also recovered and towed to the Kona Police Station.
 
Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact Acting Detective Joel Furuto at (808) 326-4646, ext 281, or via email at joel.furuto@hawaiicounty.gov.

HPD Photo