A 52-year-old man died this weekend after sustaining an injury during a gloves-on boxing match with his younger brother in Waimanalo, prompting police to open a homicide investigation, a family member said.
The victim was identified by family as Randy Kamaiopili Sr. of Waimanalo. An autopsy will determine the cause of his death.
"We all loved him," said Sean Kamaiopili Jr., his 23-year-old nephew.
Police opened a second-degree murder case in connection with Kamaiopili’s death and said he was in a confrontation with a 46-year-old Waimanalo man at about 3:35 p.m. Saturday.
After the fight, Kamaiopili was taken to a hospital, where he died, police said.
The 46-year-old man whom Kamaiopili was allegedly fighting was arrested at Castle Medical Center for investigation of first-degree assault and seven warrants at about 9:30 p.m. Saturday.
Sean Kamaiopili Jr. said his father, Sean Kamaiopili, was the one arrested.
Kamaiopili Jr. said his uncle showed up at his father’s home in Waimanalo and began arguing with his father.
He said his uncle apparently wasn’t on the medication he took to control his mental condition, which had been impaired in a prior motorcycle crash.
He said his uncle was normally family-oriented and helpful, but unpredictable when not on his medication.
Kamaiopili Jr., who was not at the home at the time of the incident, heard his father and uncle had put on boxing gloves to sort out their differences.
"That’s how we handle our disputes," he said.
He said his father landed two punches and his uncle landed one during the match in the front yard, which left his uncle dry-heaving and finally unconsciousness.
Kamaiopili Jr. said his uncle eventually woke up and bumped fists with his father, who told him, "You know I love you, right?"
"It was like an accident that shouldn’t have happened," Kamaiopili Jr. said.
He said his father wanted to be at the hospital, but police told him he had to be arrested because of warrants.
