Lawsuit: Years of ‘customary non-enforcement’ by HPD, DPP, and Liquor Commission behind Waianae ‘Silvadome’ Mass Shooting
by Andrew Walden
Bashing into his neighbor’s home with a gasoline-laden backhoe and then opening fire with two pistols, Hiram J. Silva, operator of the illegal Waianae ‘Silvadome’ party venue, burst into the news, August 31, 2024.
Silva shot three women dead and wounded two other people before being killed by return fire from one of his intended victims.
But, according to a lawsuit filed in Honolulu Federal Court, August 27, 2026, by survivors of the attack, the story begins with years of “customary non-enforcement” against Silva’s illegal venue by the Honolulu Police Department (HPD) and the Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP).
And now, an amended complaint filed, September 15, 2026, outlines in extensive detail the similar track record of Honolulu’s notoriously corrupt Liquor Commission.
As explained in the complaint:
20. Rishard and Alison Keamo-Carnate (collectively “Keamo-Carnates”) live on a 2.5-acre lot of agricultural land in Waianae, Hawaii, located on the west side of Oahu. The properties consist of large multi-acre agricultural lands.
21. Their neighbors, Hiram J. Silva and Sandra N. Silva (collectively, “the Silvas”), husband and wife, resided on the adjacent 19-acre parcel.
22. The Silvas constructed an enormous illegal dome tent structure on their property located at 85-1383-C Waianae Valley Rd., Waianae, Hawaii 96792.
23. The dome tent — approximately 40 feet wide and 120 feet long — was brazenly erected by the Silvas without any permit, in clear violation of applicable regulatory requirements.
24. The Silvas used the illegal dome tent for many years, beginning at least as early as 2018 and continuing through the date of the horrific incident described herein.
25. The Silvas rented the illegal dome tent to third parties for $3,000 to $5,000 per event such as birthdays, baby showers, graduations, and similar gatherings.
26. The third-party renters typically hosted events with live bands, loud music, heavy alcohol consumption, yelling, and other excessive noise, all of which continued late into the night without limitation.
27. Numerous complaints regarding the illegal dome tent were made to HPD and DPP, but despite the issuance of a Notice of Violation on April 14, 2021 (“NOV”) and police reports made to HPD, neither agency took enforcement action against the Silvas for the illegal dome tent.
28. In March 2021, during the COVID-19 lockdown, the Silvas hosted a concert called Swae Lee Concert at the illegal dome tent. Guests consumed alcohol and raced vehicles on the sole access road serving the area. A truck collided with Alison’s car.
29. HPD was already onsite before the collision. After the accident, Alison ran to the Silva residence, where officers were already present outside the Silva gate. The Keamo-Carnate family did not call HPD; reports had already been made by others, including the Kapu Breakers, before the event, as referenced in a Hawaii News Now (“HNN”) interview with Angela Keen.
30. The Keamo-Carnate family did not contact HPD. At no time in the history of the Silva dome did the Keamo-Carnates need to call HPD regarding events held there. This is because all calls to HPD and all HPD visits to the Silva dome over the years were made and prompted by other neighbors, demonstrating that the dome was a community nuisance. In the 2021 accident, HPD was already onsite, again prompted by other neighbors and members of the Kapu Breakers. The only calls the Keamo-Carnate family ever made to HPD concerned death threats, spotlighting, and the events of August 31, 2024.
31. HPD initially refused to take a report regarding the March 2021 collision. Officers did not administer a breathalyzer to the driver, accused Rishard of causing the driver's concussion, made no arrest, and allowed the driver to leave with a friend. HPD also did not administer breathalyzer tests to other drivers.
32. Although the Keamo-Carnate family members were eyewitnesses to the March 2021 incident and repeatedly reported suspected impaired driving, HPD documented the incident only as a motor-vehicle collision and did not obtain witness statements or conduct a thorough investigation into suspected impaired driving. Approximately one hour after the collision, the sergeant advised the Keamo-Carnate family that the matter would need to be pursued through a civil lawsuit due to the officer’s low classification of the accident.
33. Hiram Silva’s gate remained open and accessible, providing HPD the opportunity to investigate the property, which the Keamo-Carnate family repeatedly urged them to do. Despite these requests, HPD did not question Hiram Silva regarding the consumption or service of alcohol and did not investigate Plaintiffs’ reports of suspected impaired drivers.
34. Later that evening, another suspected impaired driver struck and damaged Keamo-Carnate’s cousin's retaining wall a quarter mile down the road.
35. HPD did not enforce the COVID-19 emergency restrictions despite the standing emergency amendment. No citations or enforcement actions were taken against the drivers, the event venue, or the concert promoters, reflecting what Plaintiffs believe to be HPD’s policies and practices of selective enforcement.
36. Complaints regarding the March 2021 party prompted a DPP inspector to visit the Silvas’ property. During that encounter, Hiram menacingly informed the inspector that he had a firearm in his vehicle. Although DPP thereafter issued the NOV for the illegal dome tent, the City took no other enforcement action either with respect to the tent or Silva’s firearm threat.
37. Because the property is zoned for agricultural use, dome structures of this nature are prohibited unless used for legitimate agricultural purposes.
38. On April 14, 2021, DPP issued the NOV against the Silvas, stating, “There is a large unpermitted structure on this property. At this time the use is not important, having a permit and showing anchoring is DPP Building dept. concern.”
39. DPP’s description of the violation was “A triple fee penalty shall be assessed for starting construction of the large tent structure without first obtaining the required building permit. The large tent structure on the property was constructed and erected without the required building permit.”
40. The NOV required the violation to be corrected by May 17, 2021, and informed the Silvas to “obtain the required permit for the large tent structure. If a permit cannot be obtained, remove the large tent structure, and the site must be restored to its previously approved condition within the time specified herein.”
41. DPP failed, neglected, and/or refused to monitor whether the Silvas corrected the violation and, if not, to pursue any enforcement action.
42. Neither the inspector’s visit nor the NOV deterred the Silvas from continuing to operate the illegal dome tent.
43. Parties involving drinking and speeding continued from 2021 through the incident on August 31, 2024. Drivers sped up and down the lane, burning rubber within the Silva property before accelerating up the lane again.
44. For many years, Hiram Silva also engaged in other threatening and terrorizing conduct toward the Keamo-Carnates and their family.
45. Hiram routinely discharged firearms, created excessive noise, and shined spotlights at and around the Keamo-Carnates’ property.
46. On March 29, 2021, in response to Alison’s complaints about the illegal events occurring on Hiram’s property, Andria Tupola, a member of the Honolulu City Council, representing the 1st district, provided written notice to the then HPD Chief of Police, Susan Ballard (“Chief Ballard”)2, of the illegal activities taking place at Hiram’s property.
47. On April 1, 2021, Chief Ballard sent a letter to City Councilmember Andrea Tupola3, stating:
Dear Councilmember Tupola:
This is in response to your letter dated March 31, 2021, requesting information in regards to recent large gatherings in Waianae and Kapolei.
District 8 (Ewa/Kapolei/Waianae) patrol officers responded to a large gathering in Waianae on March 20, 2021. It is unknown if a permit was issued for this event and no permit was presented to responding officers. -A Miscellaneous Criminal complaint was initiated and the case has been assigned to the District 8 Misdemeanor Follow-Up Detail for further investigation. As of this date, no promoter has been Identified, nor has there been any arrests. This investigation of Emergency Order 2020-3, Gathering Size Violation (Hawaii Revised Statutes 127A-0025), is ongoing.
The district's patrol and Crime Reduction Unit officers and personnel from the Honolulu Police Department's Intelligence Enforcement Unit responded to a large gathering in Kapolei on March 27, 2021. It is unknown if a permit was issued for this event and no permit was presented to responding officers. The event promoter was identified as Mr. Christian Ulufanua. Mr. Ulufanua was arrested and charged for Emergency Order 2020-3, Gathering Size Violation (Hawaii Revised Statutes 127A-0025).
If you have any questions, Major Gail Beckley of District 8 may be reached at 723-8403.
Susan Ballard
Chief of Police
Approved: Managing Director
48. Chief Ballard’s April 1, 2021, letter, acknowledges that District 8 patrol officers had responded to a large gathering in Waianae on March 20, 2021, that no permit had been presented, and that a miscellaneous criminal complaint had been initiated and assigned for follow-up investigation. She further reported that officers responded to another large gathering in Kapolei on March 27, 2021, that no permit had been presented, and that the identified promoter had been arrested and charged for violating Emergency Order 2020-3. The letter was approved by the City’s Managing Director.
49. Chief Ballard’s letter demonstrates that the City and HPD were fully aware of the illegal events occurring on Hiram’s property, as well as other unlawful gatherings in Kapolei on March 27, 2021. Despite this knowledge, there is no record that the City or HPD pursued any enforcement action.
50. On April 23, 2021, Alison contacted HPD and reported to the investigating officer that the Silvas had turned on a spotlight and aimed it toward her property in retaliation for a prior incident, and that Hiram, from his property, yelled at her and six other family members that he was going to kill them all. She further informed the officer that she feared for her safety and the safety of her family because Hiram was known to possess firearms. Alison also reported that earlier that day Hiram was hosting a large event in his illegal dome tent, attended by hundreds of guests, and that as she and her family were driving down their driveway, they were struck by a male who had come from the event. Her report was documented in HPD Incident Report No. 21-123592 (“Police Report”).
51. According to the Police Report, when the officer approached Hiram’s property, Hiram refused to open the gate, claiming he could not do so because it was damaged. He responded to the officer in a sarcastic tone, laughed, and accused the officer of lying. He refused to provide his social security number, stating he did not know it and appeared to give random numbers. When asked to clarify, Hiram mocked the officers, demanded their social security numbers, and continued providing random numbers. After a considerable amount of time attempting to get Hiram to surrender, the officers determined there were no exigent circumstances to justify forced entry. Hiram was not arrested, and the officers left the scene.
52. On April 23, 2021, Rishard contacted HPD and reported to the investigating officer that Hiram had aimed his construction-grade light tower at the Keamo-Carnate’s house, which the officer verified that he observed. The officer stated in his report that he attempted to contact Hiram “but was met with negative results.” The officer then informed Rishard that this was a civil matter, and Richard was given information on obtaining a TRO. Rishard’s report was documented in HPD Incident Report No. 21-153763.
53. Despite repeated complaints about Hiram, HPD never arrested Hiram for any of his threatening, terrorizing or illegal conduct.
…
55. On August 31, 2024, the Silvas rented their illegal dome tent for a graduation party. Guests again consumed alcohol and sped recklessly up the narrow shared driveway on Waianae Valley Road — burning rubber along the very portion used by the Keamo-Carnates.
56. Plaintiffs Cherell Keamo (Decedent), Jessyca Amasiu (Decedent), Courtney Raymond-Arakaki (Decedent), Elisa Carroll, Delano Carroll, and Mark Keamo were attending a party that evening at the Keamo-Carnates’ residence hosted by Rishard and Alison.
57. The Keamo family did not contact HPD on August 31, 2024, and officers did not respond to the Silva dome. Hiram may have become enraged on that date after the Keamo-Carnates confronted him and his family about the speeding up and down the lane. What transpired afterward, and the reason for his escalation despite apologies exchanged between the parties, remains unknown.
58. Following the confrontation, Hiram became enraged and loaded drums of gasoline into the shovel of his front-loader tractor and drove it into the Keamo-Carnates’ home in an attempt to burn it down.
59. The front-loader became lodged beneath the roofline, damaging a portion of the home.
60. Hiram then opened the right-side cab door and fired multiple shots, fatally shooting Cherell Keamo, Jessyca Amasiu, and Courtney Raymond-Arakaki.
61. Hiram then exited through the left-side cab door and shot two additional individuals, Elisa Carroll and her son, Delano Carroll.
62. Hiram’s deadly rampage placed all Plaintiffs in immediate fear for their lives. As Hiram Silva rammed the Keamo-Carnates’ home with the front-loader carrying the two drums of gasoline, Plaintiffs Rishard and Alison Keamo-Carnate were also under direct attack, believing their house was about to be burned down with them inside. When Hiram began firing from the cab at Plaintiffs who were nearby, Mark Keamo, one of the six individuals standing at the front of the home, dove behind a vehicle, urged his cousins to run for cover, and attempted to call 911 but could not get through. The surviving Plaintiffs endured a near-death experience of extraordinary terror and horror, and they remain severely traumatized to this day.
63. Fearing for his life and the lives of others, Rishard retreated into his home and retrieved his lawfully owned handgun.
64. Rishard then returned outside and, acting in self-defense and in defense of others, shot Hiram. Hiram fired back, as evidenced by the bullet holes still visible in the wall on that side of the house. During this sequence, Rishard loaded his lawfully owned handgun twice, running upstairs between clips.
65. On September 2, 2024, HNN reported “Silva was well known for a history of illegal dumping by his company SER Trucking. His large property at the end of the driveway includes a large fabric building which he rented out for sometimes rowdy parties, even when gatherings were banned in the pandemic, which drew multiple complaints from the family he attacked.”
66. HNN further reported, “The shooting is the latest and worst of a season of gun violence in Waianae that has the entire community on edge.”
In their amended complaint, plaintiffs allege a continuous pattern of non-enforcement against illegal venues by the Honolulu Liquor Commission. They describe similar non-enforcement scenarios at several illegal clubs, leading also to several deaths. Here is an excerpt:
98. The unlicensed after-hours club problem in Honolulu has its direct origins in the COVID-19 pandemic. Beginning in March 2020, the City and County imposed restrictions that required licensed nightclubs to cease operations. Licensed nightclubs were effectively closed from March 2020 through November 2021. During that period, unlicensed after-hours nightclubs opened across Oahu. These venues operated without complying with any City pandemic mandates and, critically, were exempted from HLC inspection under the Commission’s own internal policy. When licensed venues reopened in late 2021, the unlicensed clubs did not close. They refocused on the late-night hours — after 2:00 a.m. — when few licensed businesses were permitted to operate, and enforcement attention was minimal.
99. Since at least 2024, the Commission has asserted it considers unlicensed after-hours venues outside its jurisdiction, with complaints referred to HPD. The practical result is an enforcement vacuum: HLC treats licensing enforcement against unlicensed premises as HPD’s responsibility, while HPD’s documented practice at 531 Waiakamilo Road has been to respond to individual 911 calls, address the immediate incident, and leave — without taking any action on the unlicensed alcohol service that is plainly occurring at 2:00, 3:00, and 4:00 in the morning. No agency has cited, warned, or otherwise acted against the venue’s ongoing liquor violations. HLC’s field investigator supervisor testified in the Scarlet Honolulu trial that investigators were directed to monitor nightclub social media during the pandemic, demonstrating the Commission has both the tools and the institutional knowledge to identify these venues. Yet no enforcement action against unlicensed clubs like the Silva illegal dome tent has followed.
100. The Commission’s own records confirm that the Class 17 licensing framework has been entirely unused. On April 24, 2026, the HLC responded to Uniform Information Practices Act request No. 26-0223, which sought: (1) a list of any active Class 17 (BYOB) licensees, and expired Class 17 licensees since January 1, 2020; and (2) any tickets for violations or warnings issued at a Class 17 (BYOB) licensee. The Commission’s response was granted in full and stated: “No records found.” The Commission has issued zero Class 17 licenses since at least January 1, 2020 and has issued zero violation tickets or warnings in connection with any BYOB-style operation. There is accordingly no licensed framework within which an unlicensed after-hours club could claim to operate. Any venue permitting liquor consumption after midnight without a Chapter 281 license does so in direct violation of HRS §281-4(a) — a conclusion confirmed by the complete absence of any licensing or enforcement activity in this category.
101. On December 15, 2020, Marc K. Goto registered Aether Health & Wellness, Inc. with the Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA), using a mailing address of 2838 Booth Road, Honolulu. The club operated on Waiakamilo Road in Kalihi, approximately 2.3 miles from HLC headquarters. A licensed venue, Underdogs, was located 230 feet across the street from Aether and was subject to regular HLC inspections during the same period. Despite this physical proximity to a monitored licensee, Aether operated openly and without any HLC action from its founding through the present.
102. Aether became widely popular during the pandemic. While licensed nightclubs were shuttered, Aether operated continuously, without pandemic compliance or HLC inspection. Aether’s Google listing accumulated public reviews in which patrons discussed drink prices, bar minimums, and the club’s atmosphere — establishing publicly visible, readily searchable evidence of alcohol sales. Public social media posts dating to October 2022 promoted the venue with hashtags including #afterhours and #hawaii, and a 2023 r/Hawaii Reddit thread titled “Aether nightclub running the ballsiest drug op in recent memory with drug vending machines” was publicly accessible and highly visible.
103. In November 2022, a security guard at Aether distributed fentanyl he had mistaken for cocaine to four fellow employees. All four overdosed and were transported to local hospitals. This incident occurred at an unlicensed venue selling alcohol without a license within the HLC’s jurisdictional territory.
104. On April 9, 2023, a patron fatally overdosed inside the restroom at Aether. HPD, Honolulu Fire Department, and EMTs responded. The victim was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital. The City Medical Examiner’s Office ruled the cause of death “drug death-acute intoxication,” with toxicology showing fentanyl, xylazine, cocaine, and MDMA4 as contributing factors. Federal court records confirm that both Goto and a co-defendant were present when police arrived and that neither gave a statement. The victim has been identified in community accounts as a member of the LGBTQ+ community.
105. In December 2023, following an undercover DEA investigation during which agents purchased cocaine, MDMA, and ketamine from a vending machine installed on the premises, Goto and a co-defendant were arrested and federally indicted on drug trafficking charges. The federal indictment detailed the November 2022 fentanyl overdose of four security staff and the April 2023 fatal overdose. Goto also operated a drive-through drug distribution site at a separate location. A co-defendant subsequently pleaded guilty to drug trafficking at Aether in 2024. Goto’s federal case remains pending.
106. Following the federal arrests, Aether reopened within weeks — without any intervention by the HLC or HPD….
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PDF: AMENDED COMPLAINT
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