Full Notification

Hawai‘i Police Department
Area II Criminal Investigation Section
Lieutenant Michael Hardie
Phone: (808) 326-4646, ext. 266
Report No.: 24-045870

Media Release

On May 19, 2024, 39-year-old Auston Aini, of Kailua-Kona, was charged for several offenses including: Robbery in the first degree, Terroristic Threatening in the first degree, Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Separate Felony, Place to Keep Pistol or Revolver, Ownership or Possession Prohibited and Terroristic Threatening in the second degree, stemming from an incident that took place on May 18, 2024.

On May 18, 2024 at approximately 1:21 p.m., a 32-year-old female employee of a retail business located on the 75-5700 block of Hanama Place reported being robbed at gun point. She related that an unknown male party came into the store, pointed a black in color handgun at her and demanded that she give him money from within the cash register.  The unknown male suspect continued pointing the handgun at her while she opened the register.  The suspect then took between $400-$600 in miscellaneous U.S. currency and left the store.

Through further investigation, Kona patrol officers were able to determine the identity of Aini and the vehicle (a 4-door sedan) that was used during this incident. Officers further determined that Aini did not act alone and that the driver of the vehicle, later identified as 25-year old Rodney Kahele Jr., also of Kailua-Kona, entered into the store prior to Aini, looked around and exited the store without purchasing anything.  When Kahele  returned to the vehicle, Aini then exited the vehicle, went into the store and committed the robbery.  Both Aini and Kahele left the area within the vehicle.

Officers later determined that Aini resides at an apartment complex located on Manawalea Street in Kailua-Kona. Officers conducted checks in that area and located Aini in the above-mentioned vehicle. Aini was subsequently arrested for the robbery.

A short time later, officers located Kahele in an apartment belonging to his mother at the same complex. He was then also arrested for the robbery.

On May 19, 2024, Detectives from the Area II Criminal Investigation Section (CIS) took over the investigation. Three  search warrants were applied for and granted.  The search warrants were executed on the apartments of Kahele Jr. and Aini and on a dark purple in color Mazda 6 four-door sedan.  Upon execution of the warrants, several clothing items matching the description of what the suspect was observed wearing during the robbery were recovered from within Aini's apartment. No firearm was recovered.

Aini’s total bail was set at $323,000.00. His initial court appearance was on May 20, 2024 at Kona District Court.

Detectives with the Area II Criminal Investigation section are continuing the investigation.

Anyone with information relative to this investigation is encouraged to call the police department’s non-emergency number at (808) 935-3311. They may also contact Detective Len Hamakado at (808) 326-4646, ext. 224; or via email at [email protected].