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Man pleads not guilty to killing of Maui artist

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  • COURTESY MAUI POLICE DEPARTMENT

    Healohaomakanaamekai Akahi Pua

  • COURTESY FRIENDS OF MIKE COLBY

    The body of Mike Colby, 39, was discovered on March 18 in the area of Kaæa Point, just west of Kanaha Beach, Maui.

A 24-year-old man pleaded not guilty Wednesday to the killing of a 39-year-old artist on Maui, according to court records.

Healohaomakanaamekai Akahi Pua, of Haiku, was charged with second-degree murder and remained in custody unable to post $1 million bail.

A Maui District Court judge sent Akahi Pua’s case to Circuit Court for trial and set his next court date for Tuesday.

The body of the victim, Michael Colby, of Kahului, was found in the brush by a kite surfing instructor near the western end of Kanaha Beach on March 19, according to court documents.

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    • True. He was given every opportunity to succeed but lacked the courage to do so. If it is a hate crime, it needs to be federally prosecuted. It rarely is out here and our courts are lax and sloppy.

  • What motive did such a good and strong looking guy have to murder? Was it racial hatred , or made the victim gay advances? I wonder.

      • KHON website has a story “Documents say the two were called to the area of Kaa Point by a friend known as “Jewlz,” who said his vehicle was almost hit by Colby’s truck, with his two-year-old child inside.

        Once found, Akahi Pua says “Jewlz” smashed in Colby’s truck with a bat while he and the teen went looking for Colby.”

        They found Colby and killed him, because Colby ALMOST HIT their friend’s truck. I’m thinking he flunked out of high school?

  • Recommendations by the DOJ are being advanced to preclude the use of the word felon in describing a convict who has served his sentence. This is so he can adjust back into society and become meaningful member of society?

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