Maui police arrested three teenagers Monday in connection with the July 17 assault and riot at the Kaanapali Alii pool area. According to the Maui Police Department, officers arrested a 14-year-old Lahaina boy on suspicion of riot and second-degree assault, a 16-year-old Wailuku boy on suspicion of riot and second-degree assault, and a 16-year-old Lahaina boy on suspicion of riot. All three were released to their parents after Family Court authorized their release, bringing the total number of arrests to four.
The incident occurred at Kaanapali Alii, located at 50 Nohea Kai Drive, where seven visitors from California, ranging in age from 17 to 62, reported being assaulted. Officers arriving on scene found people gathered near the pool, MPD said, several of whom had visible injuries. Police have continued investigating the case as assault and riot.
The three juvenile arrests come after the earlier arrest of a 20-year-old Makawao man on suspicion of second-degree assault. Police previously said he was released pending further investigation.
For many readers following the story, one notable aspect we received comments about was that three of the four people arrested are juveniles. Hawaii’s Family Court system generally handles juvenile cases differently from adult criminal proceedings, and police said the teenagers were released to their parents.
What police have and have not said.
Reports describing alleged racial remarks made during the confrontation have circulated in national coverage. Those allegations come from the victims’ family and have not been publicly confirmed by Maui police.
Police have not announced that they are investigating the case as a hate crime, nor have they publicly identified a racial motive. At this point, the confirmed criminal allegations remain riot and assault and nothing more.
Public discussion surrounding the incident has expanded well beyond what investigators have officially said. While the family’s account has been widely reported elsewhere, the investigation remains focused on the criminal offenses announced by police.
Why Maui visitors are watching this closely.
Kaanapali remains one of Maui’s busiest resort areas and one of the places our readers visit most often. Beat of Hawaii will be reporting from Kaanapali in early August. As a result, this case has generated understandable concern among Hawaii visitors planning upcoming Maui vacations.
At this stage, the confirmed facts are about seven California visitors identified as victims, and the investigation remains active. Questions about motive have not been answered publicly by investigators at this time.
We will continue following developments as more information becomes available. We will be in Kaanapali reporting firsthand from West Maui, where we will continue covering this story as well as broader visitor issues. If you missed our original coverage, you can also read “Kaanapali Resort Attack Leaves Maui Visitors With Questions.“
Lead Photo:
By Jeff and Rob, Beat of Hawaii.
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Suspicion. What? These injuries didn’t just happen by themselves or self inflicted. What did the security camera’s go black or no witnesses? Are we dealing with some Island Law or lets just make it so unexplainable that the perpretrators walk. IMO I think the seal got better justice than this family of 7 that suffered the injuries. Hawaii IMO is a tourist destination where you give up your money and maybe your legal protections. In my state Assault is Assault and especially if there are injuries inflicted by another somebody goes to jail and charged.
During my small kid time, if we got caught doing something all adults, Aunties and Uncles would bust you. If an officer was involved, for sure you got a swat then taken home to face the family. To bring shame….oooh. Nowadays, there is no shame. The family name isn’t something to be protected. My Tutu would say when we went out of the house for anything: “remember you represent our family” and my Dad would say, “I gave you the name clean and clear, you keep it that way.”
Its a start.
The motive is not a mystery.
It’s obvious that MPD will not be forthcoming in their findings or details. Mayor Bissen, I suspect, is behind this “foggy” investigation. I hope this isn’t so. Tourism is the lifeblood of the state and this incident will spread to the mainland and beyond.
Just another reason not to visit Hawaii. I decided back in 2025 it was my last trip and I’ve been going since 1978 but the amount of disrespect and hate towards visitors and “haoles” was enough for me. I will spend my tourists dollars where we are welcomed and not at just what can be gouge from us,treated like walking wallets which can be picked. Hawaii has lost it aloha and decency!
Three minors were briefly arrested, then released to their parents. They are the sacrificial lambs and will face little punishment because of their ages. What about the 3 women, one of whom was described as the ringleader? The police know who they are and are likely shielding them from punishment because they are adults and face serious charges. Make the security videos from Whaler’s village and Kaanapali Alii public!
The motive is unknown? Let me help. It’s called racism. I would like to see the Federal Justice Dept. take over this investigation.
Despite victims’ account of the assault, this will never be prosecuted as a hate crime for a very simple reason – the victims are white.
Thank you for the update. As always, I really appreciate all your efforts in keeping us informed.
Yes, it’s now on national news. I’ve seen it on many news sites. I have been visiting Maui for 21 years and this and other bad behavior incidents from the locals will not pursued me to stop my trips to Hawaii any time soon.
I do believe based on some of our responders from the original article have had very painful experiences during their visits and the Maui Government just kept the lid tight to make sure the quickly closed cases don’t go public outside of the island. So, I’m glad the news got out to the public and now Maui Gov has no choice but to show accountability, otherwise the tourists will reduce without safety during the visit.
My family and I will be traveling to Maui on Friday and staying at a resort in Kaanapali. I get it that there is only one visitors side of this story right now for obvious reasons. However, when those arrested are released to their parents or on their own recognizance it doesn’t make people feel better about travel plans. What’s missing is any information regarding both resort security protocols ( patrolling, numbers of security, etc. ) as well as local law enforcement being visible on the public walkways in at least the Kaanapali area. Providing this information would go a long way in making visitors more at ease as the judicial system moves forward. I’ve been reading your newsletter for quite a while now and feel you do your best to be objective in your reporting. If you haven’t done so in the past an obvious report, detailed report on the trend of resentment ( one way or another) of residents to tourists and how it may be manifesting itself in the State.