On Tuesday afternoon, shortly after 1:30 p.m., Area I Criminal Investigation Division personnel observed a vehicle obstructing the roadway on Kea Road (Road B) in Hawaiian Acres. As officers approached the vehicle to see if the occupants needed assistance, they identified Kamalii seated in the driver’s seat. Officers were familiar with Kamalii and aware that he had several outstanding warrants and was known to be considered armed and dangerous.
Officers contacted Kamalii and identified themselves; they informed him that he was under arrest, and opened the door to affect the lawful arrest. Kamalii immediately resisted by pulling away, and turned his body towards the center console of the vehicle, and grabbed a shotgun.
Kamalii pointed the firearm towards officers, with his finger within the trigger well, placing the officers at immediate risk of death or serious bodily injury. After a brief struggle with Kamalii for the firearm, officers were able to breach the firearm, preventing Kamalii from firing it. This allowed officers to gain control of the weapon and place Kamalii under arrest. Officers later determined the firearm was loaded and operable.
He was also arrested for three outstanding warrants with a total bail of $4,700.
A front-seat passenger in the vehicle, 32-year-old Nicole Saua Himphill of Kurtistown, was arrested for an outstanding grand jury indictment warrant and first-degree hindering prosecution. While officers were attempting to arrest Kamalii, Himphill physically grabbed onto him and attempted to obstruct officers and prevent them from gaining control of Kamalii to arrest him.
Police recovered the vehicle Kamalii was operating and towed it to the Hilo Police Station. On Wednesday afternoon, September 29, detectives executed a search warrant on the vehicle and recovered over 100 rounds of ammunition for the firearm Kamalii had in his possession.
Detectives conducted extensive background checks on the firearm, in local, state, and federal databases; however, were unable to trace it or identify a current or previous legal registered owner. The weapon had been cut down and modified to reduce its overall length, which made it more concealable.
Himphill appeared in Hilo District Court on Wednesday, September 29, on the warrant charge, where she was granted supervised release. After conferral with Hawai‘i County prosecutors, she was released pending further investigation on the hindering prosecution offense.
Kamalii made his initial court appearance for the warrants on Wednesday afternoon, September 29. His bail was maintained and he was remanded to the Hawai’i Community Correctional Center (HCCC).
On Thursday morning, September 30, after conferring with prosecutors, Kamalii was charged with first-degree attempted murder, four counts ownership/possession firearm and/or ammunition prohibited, first-degree terroristic threatening, carrying or use of a firearm in the commission of a separate felony, place to keep loaded firearm, carrying or possessing a loaded firearm on a public highway, and first-degree attempted assault of a law enforcement officer.
Total bail for these charges is set at $705,000.
Kamalii remains in custody at HCCC pending his initial court appearance for the above charges, which is scheduled for Friday, October 1, in Hilo District Court.
The Hawai’i Police Department continues its commitment to preserving peace and ensuring Hawai’i Island is a safe place to live, visit, and conduct business. We regularly work in conjunction with federal authorities taking proactive measures to remove illegal firearms off of our island streets and out of the hands of violent individuals.
Federal authorities are looking at this case in particular due to the severity of the offenses and based on the extensive violent criminal history of Kamalii.
