Suspect in Maui police officer’s killing had extensive criminal record
Star-Adv Aug 17, 2025: … Court documents show that Clembert Kaneholani has an arrest record going back to at least 2005 and was found guilty of second-degree theft, a felony, and multiple misdemeanors and petty misdemeanors including theft, contempt of court and disorderly conduct.
His first recorded case occurred in February 2005, when he was charged with fourth-degree theft and ordered to pay fines, fees and restitution. He has served time in prison for theft.
In 2015, he faced more serious felony firearm-related charges, including first-degree theft of a firearm and two counts of keeping a loaded firearm in an improper place. A person with a felony conviction is not allowed to own or possess a firearm.
In 2018, he was charged with harassment and disorderly conduct stemming from an August incident; those cases were later dismissed with prejudice, meaning they can’t be retried.
Over the years, Kaneholani also has faced numerous traffic infractions, traffic crimes, and other criminal complaints, including a 2010 domestic abuse petition….
read … Suspect in Maui police officer’s killing had extensive criminal record | Honolulu Star-Advertiser
KHON Aug 18, 2025: Just two days before the shooting, the mother of his six children filed a TRO against him, claiming years of abuse, and said she knew he had a gun that he carried with him.
HNN Aug 18, 2025: Suspect accused of killing Maui police officer charged with murder Four sheriff’s deputies escorted Kaneholani into Judge Annalisa Bernard Lee’s courtroom Monday afternoon. The gallery was filled with family members of fallen Officer O as well as dozens of police officers.
Suspect in Maui officer’s killing also accused of chronic domestic violence
Star-Adv Aug 19, 2025: … The 38-year-old felon charged with killing a Maui police officer was accused of carrying a handgun and beating the mother of his children two days before the fatal shooting in Paia.
Clembert Alii Kaneholani, of Makawao, has four children and two pets with a woman who told a Maui circuit court judge that she had been “staying at a safe house for the past four days with my children due to the domestic abuse I had experienced with Clembert.”
“He has showed up at the safe house two times already looking for me,” the woman wrote in her petition for a temporary restraining order, filed Wednesday. “I was on my way to do this TRO and the safe house called saying that Clembert was on property looking for me.”
The woman told the judge that in recent years Kaneholani “got very very physical” and hit her with his fists, pushing her and stopping her from leaving him.
“Clembert had a hand gun and he carries it with him,” the woman wrote, noting Kaneholani hit her so hard in the mouth he cracked her tooth.
Kaneholani delivered “continual physical beatings” and she could not talk “when we are fighting because he will hit me to make me shut up,” she wrote.
After state Child Protective Services visited the home Aug. 9, Kaneholani didn’t say a word to the woman until Aug. 10 when he took his son.
“I had already called for help. MPD sent over officers because I was afraid for my safety. Clembert just took my son and he ended up leaving. I ended up going to a safe house with my children but not my son. I felt I needed help because there has not been a time that we disagreed that he has not made it physical. I was tired of being hit and having my children used as his power moves,” wrote the woman. “I stayed with him all this time because I have no help without him and I stayed in the relationship too long but I did not feel safe leaving him.”
The protective order was granted Wednesday and a hearing in the case is scheduled for Monday….
At about 8:26 p.m. Friday, O and other MPD officers went to the Paia Sugar Mill off Baldwin Avenue after a caller reported that Kaneholani had trespassed onto the property and shot at them.
When the officers arrived, they found Kaneholani who allegedly fired a 9mm pistol with fiber-optic sights and a red trigger, fatally striking the 37-year-old O.
Officers returned fire, hitting Kaneholani in the hip. O, a five-year veteran of the department, was shot in the chest and died after efforts to save her were unsuccessful….
read … Suspect in Maui officer’s killing also accused of chronic domestic violence | Honolulu Star-Advertiser
MN Aug 19 2025: Police Chief Pelletier vows MPD will be ‘relentless in pursuit of justice’ for fallen Maui officer; suspect appears in court : Maui Now
PDF: ECourtKokua Transcript
PDF: ECRIM Transcript
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Officer Involved Shooting (Update)
News Release from Maui PD, August 16, 2025
Our entire Maui community mourns today with heavy hearts, as the Maui Police Department announces the identity of our fallen officer, Officer Suzanne O, who was tragically killed in the line of duty on Friday, August 15, 2025.
At approximately 8:26 p.m., officers responded to an in-progress terroristic threatening incident at the Paia Sugar Mill off Baldwin Avenue. During the incident, Officer O sustained fatal injuries.
The suspect involved in the incident remains in custody as the investigation is currently ongoing.
About Officer O
Officer O began her service with the Maui Police Department in 2020, first working in the Kihei Patrol District before moving to the Wailuku Patrol District in December 2021. She was a proud member of the Honor Guard and often volunteered during high-demand periods, stepping in to assist with Alternative Calls for Service, even on her days off or outside her regular shifts, to help manage the district’s workload. She also supported the Dispatch team during her off time.
Community members often praised Officer O for her professionalism, courtesy, and tact. She was awarded the Certificate of Merit for her brave work upcountry during the August 8th wildfires. Her colleagues describe her as compassionate, genuine, honest, and deeply dedicated to serving Maui County. In her free time, she enjoyed being with her niece and nephews, as family was always her top priority.
The Maui Police Department extends our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Officer O. To those who wish to show their support to her family and loved ones, funeral and memorial service arrangements will be shared once finalized.
Officer O served our community with courage, honor, and dedication. Her sacrifice will never be forgotten, and our MPD ‘ohana is grieving alongside her family and loved ones. We ask the community to hold them in your thoughts and prayers during this most difficult time. Together, we will uphold the values Officer O exemplified, uniting to continue her legacy of service and dedication to our community.
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Officer Involved Shooting
News release from Maui PD, August 16, 2025
On Friday, August 15, 2025, at approximately 8:26 p.m., officers responded to an in-progress terroristic threatening incident at the Paia Sugar Mill off Baldwin Avenue.
The caller reported that an unknown individual had trespassed onto the property and fired a weapon at them. Upon arrival, officers encountered the armed suspect, who discharged a firearm, striking one of the responding officers. Officers returned fire, striking the suspect in the lower body. The suspect was taken into custody and is receiving medical treatment.
Despite lifesaving efforts, our officer tragically succumbed to her injuries. Her name is being withheld at this time to allow for notification of next of kin.
“Our department is heartbroken,” said Chief Pelletier. “We have lost one of our finest—an officer who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our community. She was a hero, and we will ensure she is honored with the reverence she deserves. Our deepest condolences go out to her family, loved ones, and fellow officers during this time of profound loss.”
The Maui Police Department asks for the community’s support, understanding, and respect as we grieve this immeasurable loss.
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Statement from SHOPO on MPD Officer Killed in the Line of Duty
News Release from SHOPO, Aug 15, 2025
Honolulu, HI – Tonight, an officer of the Maui Police Department was killed in the line of duty. The State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers issued the statement below. The statement will be the only information released by SHOPO for the time being. All questions regarding this incident should be directed to the MPD.
“A Maui police officer put on their police uniform today to start their shift, protecting the lives of the public. That officer did not finish their shift; their life was stolen, cut way too short. Tonight, a family is overcome with grief, a grief that will never totally leave them. The hearts of Maui police officers break as a fellow officer, their friend, a friend who does the very same job they do every day, did not go home. The 2,700 sworn men and women of the State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers stand strong beside our brother and sister officers of the Maui Police Department. Too many of us have been here before. Our hearts and our prayers are with our officer’s family; they will forever be part of our SHOPO family, a family that will not let the memory of their loved one fade or their ultimate sacrifice be made in vain.”
Robert Cavaco, President, SHOPO
Nick Krau, SHOPO Maui Chapter Chair
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COVERAGE:
KHON: Officials react to fatal shooting of Maui police officer
SA: Maui police officer killed in shooting at Paia Sugar Mill | Honolulu Star-Advertiser
HNN: Maui police officer killed in shooting
MN: Maui police officer killed in the line of duty | Maui News
MN: Maui police mourn the loss of one of their own following an officer-involved shooting in Pāʻia : Maui Now
CB: Maui Police Officer Wanted To Inspire Other Pacific Island Girls - Honolulu Civil Beat