Hawai‘i Island police arrested a 57-year-old Hilo man for violating a restraining order following a domestic dispute early Sunday morning, October 22, 2023, in Kona. The suspect, Mitchell Kanehailua Jr., is a former Hawai‘i Police Department Assistant Chief who retired in September 2019.
 
At around 5:14 a.m. on Sunday, Kona patrol officers responded to a possible domestic dispute in the 73-4000 block of Hawai‘i Belt Road in Kailua-Kona. Responding officers contacted the 41-year-old female victim who reported a violation of a protective order. The woman reported that her ex-boyfriend, Kanehailua Jr., entered onto her property and attempted to gain access into her residence.
 
Kanehailua Jr. 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 Jr. was placed under arrest for violation of an order of protection and harassment. He was transported to the Kealakehe Police Station where he remains in custody as detectives with Area II Juvenile Aid Section continue this investigation.