HILO (KHON2) – The FBI is now offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Justin Joshua Puamoiwalei Waiki.
The 33-year-old is suspected of shooting and killing an officer on Highway 11 in Mountain View Tuesday night.
It happened at around 9:47 p.m. near Kukui Camp Road.
According to the Hawaii Police Department, officers received information of Waiki’s whereabouts, and that he was wanted on an outstanding no-bail warrant and multiple all-points bulletins.
They were approaching his vehicle when, police say, Waiki exited the car and fired roughly five rounds with what is believed to be a handgun.
Officer Bronson K. Kaliloa was shot in the neck and leg. Two officers immediately returned fired, but Waiki was able to get away into the bushes on foot.
Kaliloa was taken to Hilo Medical Center by the Hawaii Fire Department Medic Unit where he underwent surgery, but doctors couldn’t save him. Kaliloa was pronounced dead at around 12:45 a.m. He was 46 years old.
The 10-year veteran of the Hawaii Police Department leaves behind his wife and three small children.
His family released the following statement:
“Bronson Kaliloa loved the Lord with all his heart and in his image he was a Proud Father of 3, ages 7, 4 and 3, an Adoring and Loving Husband and Devoted Son.
Passionate about serving his Lord and Community, he was always making sure people felt loved and respected.
He’ll leave his family and friends a true example of one who unconditionally loves.”
Kaliloa grew up on Kauai and graduated from Waimea High School in 1990. He spent several years on Oahu, working as a city bus driver, before he moved to Hawaii island.
Kaliloa joined the Hawaii Police Department on Aug. 1, 2008. He started his career in the South Kohala patrol division, and transferred to the Puna division in 2010. In 2014, Kaliloa was honored as Officer of the Year for the Puna district.
According to his father, Kaliloa always felt it was his duty to serve, especially the Puna community.
A family friend says Kaliloa also showed his compassion for others when lava started to erupt in Pahoa. He was stationed at the checkpoints and always went out of his way to help.
“There’s a lot of aloha that went out to him from all the people that had any contact with him during the eruption,” said Kale Gumapac. “They really, really liked him, and like I said, it’s a loss to the community that we lose a young man with so much aloha for the community.”
Waiki is described as 5’10” in height, and around 160 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. He has a tattoo in the front center of his neck. He was last seen wearing a white T-shirt and dark colored jacket.
Police say Waiki is to be considered armed and dangerous and should not be approached.
The suspect’s last known address is in Las Vegas, though police say he is now a Hawaii island resident and has lived in Puna, Hamakua, and Hilo. He has 37 arrests for various offenses with 16 convictions. Three of those were felonies.
Waiki’s picture has been distributed to security at the airports to prevent him from leaving Hawaii island.
Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call the police at 935-3311 or those who prefer to remain anonymous may call the island-wide Crime Stoppers number at 961-8300.