Hawaiʻi Island police have arrested and charged two fugitives, Malani Donald Tavui, 40, and Alexander Ikieolagarcia Kauwe, 31, following an extensive, months-long investigation. Both men, residents of Puna, were wanted for multiple offenses across the island.

Tavui Arrested in Pāhoa

On the morning of Thursday, December 5, 2024, police acted on a tip regarding a stolen vehicle at a Maile Street residence in Pāhoa. Officers confirmed the vehicle had been reported stolen on November 13, 2024. They also found 19-year-old Layla Subica sleeping inside the vehicle, arresting her without incident.

Knowing Subica’s connection to Tavui, officers obtained permission to search the residence. After an initial search failed to locate him, members of the Area I Crime Reduction Unit (CRU), the United States Marshals Service (USMS), and Puna patrol officers discovered Tavui hiding under a bed upstairs. He was taken into custody without incident.

Kauwe Captured After Vehicle Pursuit

The following morning, on Friday, December 6, 2024, officers responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle parked on Rose Street in Mountain View. When officers approached the vehicle, they identified a man sleeping in the driver’s seat. The suspect, later identified as Kauwe, attempted to flee, driving off and crashing the vehicle into a tree. The vehicle overturned, and Kauwe was arrested on the scene.

Multiple Charges Filed

Both Tavui and Kauwe face extensive charges stemming from numerous incidents across Hawaiʻi Island.

Tavui’s Charges:

• Unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle (UCPV)
• First-degree theft
• Multiple counts of criminal property damage
• Habitual property crime
• Driving without a valid license
• Resisting an order to stop a motor vehicle
• Firearm and ammunition-related offenses
• Probation violation warrants

Tavui’s bail was set at $244,750.

Kauwe’s Charges:

• First-degree burglary
• UCPV
• Reckless endangering
• Terroristic threatening
• Criminal property damage
• Assault on a police officer
• Firearm and ammunition-related offenses
• Possession of prohibited weapons
• Probation violation warrants

Kauwe’s bail was set at $321,000.

Additionally, Kauwe was arrested for second-degree attempted murder related to an August 24, 2024, incident in which he reportedly fired multiple shots at a 53-year-old man’s vehicle. Although the victim was not injured, further investigation into the attempted murder charge is ongoing, with prosecutors set to review the case upon completion.

Subica Also Charged

Following a search of the stolen vehicle Subica was found in, police charged her with:

• Unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle
• Place to keep a loaded firearm
• Drug possession and promotion offenses
• Place to keep ammunition

Her bail was set at $9,000.

Investigations Uncover Stolen Property and Weapons

Police recovered six illegally owned firearms and five stolen vehicles connected to Tavui and Kauwe during their investigations. Additional stolen vehicles linked to the fugitives remain unrecovered.

The months-long effort to locate and apprehend the fugitives involved collaboration between Hawaiʻi Island police, the State of Hawaiʻi Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE), the USMS, the FBI, and the Hawaiʻi County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.

Community Assistance Sought

Anyone with information regarding the investigations involving Tavui or Kauwe is urged to contact Detective John Balberde of the Area I Crime Reduction Unit at (808) 961-2272 or via email at John.Balberde@hawaiicounty.gov.