A cherished Maui resident was allegedly killed in a brutal assault while doing what many in the community knew him for: feeding stray cats in a busy visitor district.
Alfred Kailihiwa, 71, died after authorities say he was attacked on August 6 in Kahului, on Maui’s North Shore, by Johnathan Koko-Kong, 31, and Richard Kealoha-Kaauwai, 34.
According to police, the confrontation began when the two suspects, along with an unidentified woman, approached Alfred and his 73-year-old sister, Valerie Kailihiwa, following a dispute over the use of bright headlights.
The siblings had been driving through the area on their nightly mission to feed feral cats, a routine that made Alfred well known across Maui. Family members said they fed roughly 700 cats every night of the year, and Alfred also trapped cats so they could be spayed or neutered through the Maui Humane Society.
When the group allegedly lunged at the Kailihiwas, Alfred used pepper spray before escaping with Valerie in her car. The siblings later stopped near the intersection of Lalo and Hukilike Street to leave food for another colony of stray cats.
But investigators say Koko-Kong, Kealoha-Kaauwai and the woman had quietly followed the elderly pair, then launched a sudden and violent attack shortly after 11 p.m.
Valerie recounted the terrifying encounter while testifying Wednesday at a preliminary hearing in Wailuku, according to HawaiiNewsNow.
“I was thrown to the ground and the bruises on my arm, the bruises on my knee trying to stand up,” she said. “He took the flashlight away from me and just kept yelling, ‘I’ll teach you *** a lesson. I’ll teach you a lesson.’”
The assailants allegedly bashed Alfred in the head several times before he fell to the ground, police say. They also allegedly kicked him repeatedly while he was down and attempted to steal his sister’s car and took her flashlight.
Alfred was taken to Maui Memorial Medical Center with critical, life-threatening injuries and later died, authorities said. His sister suffered minor injuries.
Koko-Kong and Kealoha-Kaauwai have each been charged with murder, robbery and assault. They are being held without bail.
Their female companion was arrested in connection with the case and released pending further investigation.
Kealoha-Kaauwai has 18 prior convictions, eight of which are felonies, according to HawaiiNewsNow. Koko-Kong has two felony convictions.
“It’s unthinkable what happened,” Alfred’s daughter, Jaime Kaho’ohanohano, told the outlet. “I can’t believe that there are people out there that could be so evil to harm our kupuna. I mean, my dad’s 71.”
Alfred’s nephew thanked bystanders who intervened in the attack and saved his mother’s life.
“My mom could have been another loss,” said Samuel Kailihiwa. “Thank God for the Good Samaritans that stepped in and called the cops. Because if not, then my mom probably wouldn’t be here either.”
Alfred’s other daughter, Kalei, said described what happened to her father as heinous and said the suspects need to be held accountable.
“I don’t know that I’m ready for forgiveness. I don’t know that I will be for a long time,” she said.
Members of Maui’s animal rescue community created an online fundraiser to help Kailihiwa’s family. It has already raised more than $45,000.
“Alfred is a beloved member of the Maui community, and especially adored by the Maui Cat Community,” the fundraiser states.
“He really loved his sister, with whom he lived and trapped, and we’d like to do him right by making this situation a little easier on her.”
