17-year-old found murdered at Mākaha Beach

MAKAHA, Hawaii (KHON2) — The community is mourning the death of a 17-year-old boy after police said he was fatally shot at Mākaha Beach Park.

When emergency personnel and police arrived on the scene, they discovered the boy who had been murdered in Mākaha.

According to the Honolulu Police Department, they responded to a call regarding multiple gunshots that were being fired at Mākaha Beach.

HPD indicated that when EMS arrived on the scene, they attempted to revive the victim but were unsuccessful.

HPD said the victim was pronounced dead on the scene at 1:19 a.m.

The murder happened during graduation season. The time of year when many teens celebrate going from house to house. That is exactly what concerns Erwina Leong; her son just graduated high school.

“Of course, I want to be able to go to sleep knowing that my child is safe,” Leong said. “Or go to work knowing that my child is going to be safe, wherever he is whoever he’s hanging out with.”

Marlene Kahoonei lives near Mākaha Beach. She heard the gunshots in the middle of the night. 

Kahoonei said, “I would say, I heard at least five. All I heard was kind of dull. Pop. Pop. Pop. Pop. And I thought it was a gun.”

The community in Mākaha was shocked. The victim and the suspect, according to police, are teenagers. 

Kahoonei said, “It is sad because it is graduation season and because we all love our kids, and we don’t like things like this to happen. I think it is senseless.”

The victim’s family gathered Sunday morning near the area where police found his body. The family asked for privacy through this time of mourning.

HPD said their investigation has shown that a suspect was arguing with the 17-year-old victim prior to the shooting.

They described the suspect as being a local male between the ages of 15 and 17 and approximately 5’4″ to 5’6″ tall.

He is reported to have a slim build and was last seen wearing dark-colored clothing and carrying a firearm.

The suspect is also reported to be accompanied by an alleged accomplice who is also identified as a local male; both are believed to have fled the scene together in a white vehicle.

HPD said the victim and the suspect appeared to have known each other.