MEDIA RELEASE

Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the discovery of a man’s body at a location on Banyan Drive in Hilo.

On November 8, 2011 at about 6:45 pm, South Hilo Patrol officers responding to a report of a body found near the Banyan Drive golf course discovered the body of an unidentified male. Based on the physical characteristics of the body and the clothing, investigators believed the remains were that of a male subject who was recently reported missing.

Ronald Kahapea

Yesterday, (November 9th) detectives were able to identify the deceased male as 50-year-old Ronald Moku Kahapea, of a Banyan Drive address. An autopsy is scheduled for tomorrow (November 11th) to determine the exact cause of death. This investigation is classified as an unattended death.

Police ask that anyone with information about this case or anyone who may have recently interacted with Kahapea to call Detective Reed Mahuna at 961-2384 or Detective Wendell Carter at 961-2378.

Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. Crime Stoppers is a volunteer program run by ordinary citizens who want to keep their community safe. Crime Stoppers doesn’t record calls or subscribe to caller ID. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.