Updated 7/29/26 7 pm. Maui police have arrested three more teens, bringing the total to seven arrests 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 third-degree assault, a 14-year-old Lahaina girl on suspicion of riot, and a 17-year-old Lahaina girl on suspicion of riot on Tuesday, July 28. That follows Monday’s arrests of 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 six juveniles were released to their parents after authorization from the Family Court.
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.
These 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 many comments about was that six of the seven people arrested are juveniles. Hawaii’s Family Court system generally handles juvenile cases differently from adult criminal proceedings, with police stating that the teenagers were released to parental care.
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.
Police have said that if the investigation finds evidence the incident was motivated by bias, including racial bias, or involved gang-related criminal activity, those offenses will be charged appropriately. Any applicable federal violations will be referred to federal law enforcement for review and possible prosecution.
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.“
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By Jeff and Rob, Beat of Hawaii.
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Great news today! The FBI is taking out the trash in Maui police. Lt Michael Vaituulala, an 18 year police officer, was arrested and charged by the DOJ with protecting drug dealers and other crimes. Rumors are that more arrests are coming soon. Really sounds like a third world dump and maybe explains why Lahaina residents were unable to evacuate the fire?
I am a long time visitor to Maui and I have seen the hate grow towards tourists. Many younger generation Hawaiians have a growing disdain for what they call “Howlies” which is in and of itself a racial slur. They seem to resent hard working people that support their economy. As this type of hatred escalates, the Hawaii economy will implode because people will vacation and spend their money elsewhere and where they are appreciated, not hated. The recent attack on tourists in Ka’annapali is a prime example.
So sad how Maui has changed over the years, and not in a good way. There is no more Aloha in Hawaii towards mainland visitors.
Dianne, take a deep breath and try to relax.
There have always been some locals who dislike tourists. I faced some of them more than 50 years ago in Oahu. Tourist resentment is a worldwide phenomenon, and Hawaii is no different.
Unless this type of hostility escalates dramatically, people won’t avoid Hawaii. Just look at Mexico. It’s becoming the murder capital of the world, yet Americans still go there by the millions, annually, and some are murdered. How often are tourists murdered in Hawaii?
I seriously hope this story gets federally investigated by Donald J. Trump. This activity never should happen even if there is STR issues and issues regarding Hawaii’s history that makes it not justifiable. Regardless Hawaii is still a state and what makes this act any different than some gang or terrorist activity? If Hawaii can’t enforce and stop these uncalled for acts then let ICE show up or who ever and make Hawaii a safe place to visit.
ICE? What are you talking about?
Hey Lynn,
He means Federal police- Not corrupt local police.
The FBI and the DOJ can step in to see that the rioters are prosecuted when the local police refuse to release even the names or video of the hate crime suspects.
Maui police chief Pelletier was the incident captain when 60 died in Las vegas and also “leader” when 102 died in Lahaina.
What does it take to be fired in Maui????
According to the Honolulu Star Advertiser, 3 more teens have now been arrested, including 3 females. A total of 6 teens and the one 20-year-old.
All 6 teens have been released to their parents.
staradvertiser.com/2026/07/29/breaking-news/3-more-maui-teens-arrested-in-alleged-assault-riot-in-lahaina/
Alex. I also noticed when looking at the Honolulu star Advertiser another story non related but a 24 year old in Wahiawa suspect and charged for stabbing a 66 year old in a McDonalds restaurant on Oahu. He also threatened an officer which gave him a 1st degree assault, resisting arrest etc. I believe the suspect name was Austin Otto Smith and from the article this individual was never released from the police department. Go figure.
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.
This wouldn’t be the first time. The Department of Justice had to take over an investigation in 2023 from Maui police and charge it as a federal hate crime. Two locals nearly beat to death a white resident of their neighborhood in an explicitly racial attack. The police would not charge it as such.
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.
Paul, if you stop at Costco on the way in, they sell 2-packs of pepper spray for $19.99, located near the pet food aisle. Cheap piece of mind.
You may have recommended buying pepper spray flippantly, but it isn’t a bad idea. We don’t walk the sidewalks very often after dark as there are many areas that feel very isolated even in town. It would be nice to know violence is prosecuted, whether against locals or visitors. Paul, I hope your vacation is restful and uneventful.
Exactly right Debra,
TSA screenings leave tourists without even a pair of nail clippers for self defense. Criminals and bullies are aware that tourists are an easy mark. Another reason to watch your back driving a rental car near dangerous airports such as Oakland.