The Maui News

KAHULUI–The 53-year-old victim in a murder case has been identified as Sione Paletua of Wailuku, The Maui Police Department announced Monday afternoon.

On July 22 Seniola Kafoa Jr. (46) of Lahaina was charged with Attempted Murder in the Second Degree. Kafoa remains in police custody and his bail has set at $500,000.

Kafoa is in police custody for murder in the second-degree after Paletua was found unresponsive after suffering from a severe injury to his arm Saturday morning in Kaanapali, according to the Maui Police Department (MPD).

The MPD stated an eyewitness described observing Kafoa standing over Paletua’s body before fleeing the scene in a red 2007 Honda Element.

At approximately 1:08 p.m., officers located the Honda, abandoned off Honoapiilani Highway in the Olowalu area.

On Saturday, July 20, at approximately 11:46 a.m., Lahaina patrol officers initially responded to the area of 2010 Honoapiilani Highway in Kaanapali in regards to a suspicious type case.

Upon arrival, a bystander led MPD officers to Kafoa who was observed to be breathing but was unresponsive and suffering from a severe injury to his arm, according to the MPD.

“A tourniquet was applied to the male’s arm by a responding officer, who then began life-saving measures until fire and medic personnel arrived on the scene to take over. The male, a 53-year-old from Lahaina, was transported to the Maui Memorial Medical Center in critical condition; however, he succumbed to his injuries before arrival. (The victim’s identity is being withheld for 24 hours to allow his family an opportunity to notify their extended family and friends),” the MPD press release on the incident reads.

At approximately 4:03 p.m., SRT and Lahaina Patrol personnel located Paletua at Honokawai Park, where he was subsequently placed under arrest for Murder in the Second Degree.

The investigation into the case is ongoing and information will be updated as it becomes available.