Kaneohe man charged with the murder of former Castle HS star
Prosecutors today charged a neighbor in the Sunday murder of former Castle High School quarterback and point guard Joel Botelho that began with a fight in a Kaneohe bar.
Prosecutors charged Makuola K. Collins, 26, with seven counts related to Botelho’s death: murder; first-degree attempted murder; second-degree attempted murder; use of a firearm in the commission of a crime; violation of “place to keep firearm;” third-degree promotion of drugs; and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Botelho, who had turned 27 on New Year’s Day, and his younger brother, Leon “Bubba” Botelho, were drinking at the Komomai Bar in the Kaneohe Shopping Center on Kamehameha Highway about 3 a.m. Sunday when Bubba got into an “altercation” with Collins, according to a police affidavit. The shooting took place a short time later outside Botelho’s home.
Bubba and Collins have known each other for 10 years, going back to elementary school, and live near one another on Waikalua Road in Kaneohe, according to the affidavit.