HONOLULU (KHON2) — A grand jury on Oahu has indicted 17-year-old Chantston Pila Kekawa for second-degree murder in connection with the shooting of a 39-year-old man, the owner of Ohikilolo Ranch in Makaha, during an altercation on February 17, 2024.
The indictment also includes charges of keeping a pistol or revolver, first-degree terroristic threatening, use of a firearm in the commission of a separate felony, and first-degree theft.
Pila Kekawa, previously waived as a juvenile to be tried as an adult, faces a mandatory life sentence with the possibility of parole if convicted of murder.
“Mr. Pila Kekawa resorted to an extreme and horrific act of violence toward the victim, whose property was endangered as a result of his actions,” said Prosecuting Attorney Steve Alm. “We have taken steps to address this execution-style murder by charging him in adult court with these serious crimes.”
The court has approved a request from the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney to hold Pila Kekawa without bail pending trial.
He is presumed innocent until proven guilty. Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Lawrence Sousie presented the state’s case to the grand jury.