Keola Jay Whitehead-Shibata, 29, allegedly used a handgun to shoot another man, 39, multiple times on Rickard Place off Mamane Street in Honokaa, Hawaii, United States at around 6:00 p.m. on May 16, 2023. He allegedly fled on foot after the shooting.

Whether or not Whitehead-Shibata and the victim knew each other has yet to be confirmed. The victim suffered head and neck injuries.

The victim was taken in critical condition to North Hawaii Community Hospital in Waimea, Hawaii. Later, he was transferred to The Queen’s Medical Center on Oahu, Hawaii.

At around 8:30 a.m. on May 17, 2023, Whitehead-Shibata was arrested in a wooded campsite area off Lehua Street in Honokaa. He was booked into the Hawaii Department of Corrections in Honolulu, Hawaii.

On May 20, 2023, Whitehead-Shibata made his initial appearance at Hilo District Court in Hilo, Hawaii. He was charged with second-degree attempted murder and two firearm-related offenses.

Bail for Whitehead-Shibata was set at $1,075,000. The man he allegedly shot on May 16, 2023 remains hospitalized at The Queen’s Medical Center but is now in stable condition.

Honokaa has become increasingly a bedroom community for Hilo. Traveling downslope from Waimea, Honokaa provides the first unobstructed view of the Pacific Ocean.

Released in Japan on March 14, 2009, the Japanese movie “Honokaʻa Boy” (ホノカアボーイ) was filmed in Honokaa. Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA, “Roseanne” star Roseanne Barr, 70, is a resident of Honokaa.