Ex-assistant police chief charged with numerous offenses

A former Hawaii Police Department assistant chief has been arrested and charged with numerous offenses stemming from a domestic dispute Sunday in Kailua-Kona.

Mitchell Kanehailua Jr., 57, of Hilo was charged Monday evening with violation of a restraining order, first-degree attempted burglary, third-degree assault and third-degree attempted assault.

At around 5:14 a.m. on Sunday, Kona patrol officers responded to a possible domestic dispute in the 73-4000 block of Hawaii Belt Road in Kona.

Officers at the scene contacted the 41-year-old female victim, who reported a violation of a protective order. The woman reported that her ex-boyfriend, Kanehailua, entered onto her property and attempted to gain access into her residence.

Police said Kanehailua was then contacted outside the victim’s residence by a 47-year-old female witness/victim, who he unsuccessfully attempted to strike.

Shortly after, he was contacted by several male parties and detained, pending officers’ arrival.

Kanehailua initially was placed under arrest for the violation of the order of protection and harassment, but after conferring with the Department of the Attorney General, he was charged with the other offenses and his bail was set at $9,000.

Kanehailua remains in police custody pending his initial hearing scheduled for today in Kona District Court.