Hawaiʻi Island Police have charged the suspect in the Kona murder investigation that left a 45-year-old Captain Cook man dead.

The victim’s name is being withheld pending positive identification and notification of next-of-kin. 

After conferring with County Prosecutors, at 5:00 p.m. (April 30), detectives charged 66-year-old James Bonham, with second-degree murder.

The charge stems from an incident on Tuesday evening (April 28), shortly after 9:00 p.m., when Kona patrol officers responded to a reported shooting that had just occurred in the 83-5000 block of Middle Keei Road, Captain Cook.  

Upon arrival, officers located the victim with an injury consistent with a gunshot. The victim was later pronounced dead at the Kona Community Hospital. James Bonham was arrested at the scene where a firearm was also recovered. 

Bonham is being held in lieu of $50,000 bail pending his initial court appearance scheduled for Friday (May 1) in Kona District Court.

An autopsy has been scheduled for Friday (May 1) to determine the cause of death.

Anyone who may have information about this incident is asked to call the Police Department’s non-emergency line at (808) 935-3311 or Detective Aron Tomota at (808) 326-4646 ext. 262 or aron.tomota@hawaiicounty.gov.