Panel reviews fatal shooting of suspect in officer’s death

A state panel met Wednesday to review the police investigation into the the officer-­involved shooting death of Justin Waiki, sought in the fatal shooting of Big Island police officer Bronson K. Kaliloa.

The Law Enforcement Officer Independent Review Board conducted its examination behind closed doors and was expected to make a recommendation to the Hawaii County Prosecuting Attorney regarding whether any prosecution is necessary following the July 20 incident.

Waiki allegedly gunned down Kaliloa July 17 and died in a shootout with police at South Point four days later. A woman and another police officer were wounded in the incident.

The nine-member board was created in 2017 to review criminal investigations of officer-involved deaths conducted by law enforcement agencies. The board evaluates the fairness of investigations and determines whether criminal prosecution or further investigation is warranted, according to the state Criminal Justice Division.