A 45-year-old Hilo man, Jarret Kaneshiro has been arrested and charged with attempted murder, felon in possession, and firearms offenses. The charges stem from an October 14, 2022 incident where Kaneshiro is alleged to have discharged a firearm at his girlfriend while she was driving her vehicle within the Hilo-bound lanes of Highway 11 near the intersection of Highway 130, on Friday afternoon, October 14, 2022

According to police, the arrest of Kaneshiro stem from an incident reported shortly after 5:30 p.m. Friday afternoon, when Puna patrol officers responded to a report from a female victim that Kaneshiro fired a handgun at her vehicle while she was seated within. The bullet struck the back passenger’s side window of the vehicle, nearly hitting the victim, before becoming lodged just behind the driver’s seat.

Kaneshiro fled the scene heading towards Hilo on Highway 11 in a stolen white 2008 Toyota Tacoma pick-up truck. At 12:51 a.m. Saturday morning, October 15, 2022, Puna patrol officers located and arrested Kaneshiro at a residence on Ali‘i Kane Street in Volcano. 

As the Complaint alleges, Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen announced that Kaneshiro was charged with Attempted Murder in the Second Degree, Ownership or Possession of Firearms Prohibited, Carrying or Use of Firearm in the Commission of a Separate Felony, Carrying or Possessing a Loaded Firearm on a Highway, Place to Keep Pistol or Revolver, and Criminal Trespass in the First Degree.

Attempted Murder in the Second Degree carries a penalty of life in prison with the possibility of parole. Prosecutors have also provided notice of an intention to seek a mandatory prison term in accordance with statutory sentencing guidelines in relation to imprisonment for offenses involving the use of a firearm.

Kaneshiro is scheduled to make his initial appearance on Monday afternoon in Hilo District Court. He remains in custody in lieu of $1,111,000.00 bail.

The investigation was initiated by Puna Patrol, and the felony investigation was led by Detective Clarence Acob, Area I Juvenile Aid Section, with assistance from Detective Kevin Brodie and members of the Area I Criminal Investigation Division, Hawai‘i Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Heipua Ah Loy.

The charges are merely allegations, and the Defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.