39-year-old Alexander Alika Akau III of Waikoloa was charged by police following a shooting incident in Kawaihae. After conferring with the County Prosecutors Office, Area II CIS detectives charged Akau III with the following offenses:
- Second-degree attempted murder
- First-degree reckless endangering
- Carrying or possessing a loaded firearm on a public highway
- Reckless driving
His bail was set at $57,250.
Akau III’s charges stem from a December 30 incident where 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.
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. A search warrant executed on the vehicle resulted in the recovery of a spent shotgun round and numerous live shotgun rounds. No firearm was recovered during the execution of the search warrant.Akau III remains in police custody pending his initial Kona District Court appearance today.
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