Man charged in shootings at alleged game room in Chinatown

A 30-year-old man was charged this afternoon in connection with a shooting over the weekend at a reported game room in Chinatown that left a man injured and a woman dead.

Alabanza Tuimalealiifano, of no local address, was charged with manslaughter, second-degree attempted murder, first-degree robbery, and five firearm offenses. He remained at the police cellblock with a bail of $1 million.

Police said Tuimalealiifano shot a 44-year-old woman and a 25-year-old man during a robbery at Cuties Cafe, 36 N. King St., at about 1:50 a.m. Saturday.

Police said Tuimalealiifano and a 29-year-old man went to rob the business and fled after the gunfire. The 29-year-old man was arrested about an hour later on Kapiolani Boulevard for investigation of first-degree robbery and was released over the weekend pending investigation.

Tuimalealiifano was arrested about 5:50 p.m. Saturday on Bougainville Circle in Kapolei.

The woman who died, identified by family as Tara Tavaga, was taken to a hospital with a gunshot wound to her chest and later died.

Tavaga’s family said she was a peacemaker who stood up for the underdog, the elderly, and the disabled. She lived with her mother in Halawa.

The 25-year-old man was shot in the shoulder and was expected to survive, police said.

Honolulu police spokeswoman Michelle Yu said police were looking into reports of illegal gambling activity at the location and after the shooting, on the same day, police seized gambling-type devices from the business.

Online reviews of Cuties Cafe described it as a Vietnamese coffee and food business, with one website saying it was closed. The business agent listed on the state’s business registration website, Hien Tran, could not be reached for comment. The state’s business registration website shows the business was not in good standing and last filed for registration in 2013.

A businesswoman working next door to Cuties Cafe said Cuties appeared today to have been shut down.