Hawaii police officer-wife killed in murder-suicide
HONOLULU HI April 11 2018 – Hawaii Island police are investigating the death of a man and woman at a residence in upper Puna.
At 3:25 p.m. Sunday afternoon, officers responded to a home in the Pacific Paradise Gardens subdivision in Mountain View.
According to police, officers found the lifeless bodies of a male and female at the residence. They say one of the deceased is a police officer.
Detectives have classified the case as a murder and suicide.
Police union president Malcolm Lutu says the officer had 11 years of experience with the Hawaii Police Department.
“Anytime it deals with a fellow officer, it’s very disheartening. We’re waiting to see the outcome of the investigation from Big Island police. We’ve heard there’s children. Our hearts go out to the surviving children. We’re just waiting like everyone else to find out the outcome of the investigation,” said Lutu.
Though the identities of the victims have not yet been formally released, family members identify the woman as Jolene Kapua-Allison, 54, who worked for the school bus system as well as the J Hara fishing store in Kurtistown.
In a statement, daughter Heitiare Kapua-Leslie said,
“We want everyone to know what a beautiful and wonderful person my mom was, and the aloha spirit she bestowed upon everyone she came in contact with. If there is any man, woman, or transgendered individuals in harm of domestic violence, please seek help before it’s too late.”
While he doesn’t know the details of what happened, Lutu urges police officers across the state to seek help if needed.
“The law enforcement community, talk amongst your peers. I encourage them to talk. Who knows, it might work out. I don’t know what went out on on the Big Island. Every family experiences things. Just because they’re officers don’t mean they don’t go through every day problems like regular people. We’ll find out soon enough if this officer needed some help,” he said.
An autopsy will be conducted this week to determine the exact cause of deaths.
Anyone who may have information about this incident is asked to call the Hawaii Police Department’s non-emergency line at (808) 935-3311 or Detective Jesse Kerr at (808) 961-2379 or jesse.kerr@hawaiicounty.gov.
