29 year-old Ku Manuia of Puna was indicted on charges of felon in possession of firearms and ammunition and ghost gun offenses.

On October 27, 2022, Manuia, who was wanted on three unrelated bench warrants, was contacted by police while walking along the shoulder of F Road within the Hawaiian Acres subdivision while carrying three bags. Following his arrest, detectives determined that Manuia was in possession of a loaded, unserialized AR-15 style rifle and live green-tipped ammunition.

As the Indictment alleges, Manuia, who has a prior felony conviction for theft, was
charged with 4 offenses including Ownership or Possession of Firearm Prohibited,
Ownership or Possession of Ammunition Prohibited, Carrying or Possessing a Loaded Firearm
on a Public Highway, and Manufacturing, Purchasing, or Obtaining Firearm Parts to Assemble a
Firearm Having No Serial Number. Ownership or Possession Prohibited and Carrying or
Possessing a Loaded Firearm on a Public Highway are both class B felony offenses which are
punishable by a ten year prison term of four years probation and up to eighteen months in jail.

Manuia is scheduled to make his initial appearance in Hilo Circuit Court today.

The investigation was handled by members of the Area I Criminal Investigation Division,
Community Policing, and VICE Unit, Hawai‘i Police Department.

The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Jeff Malate.

The charges are merely allegations, and the Defendant is presumed innocent unless and
until proven guilty.

 

Photo credit: Hawaiʻi County Prosecuting Attorney