Search underway for suspect wanted for slew of crimes on Maui

MAUI (HawaiiNewsNow) - Maui police are seeking the public’s help in locating a suspect wanted for a slew of crimes.

Authorities said David Kaanana IV, 33, is wanted on $50,000 warrant of arrest for burglary, theft and criminal property damage.

He allegedly broke into Kula Hardware and Nursery on Nov. 15, 2022. Surveillance video shows a man climbing through a window and looking around with a flashlight.

“Took a little time. But basically this case went to an indictment through the prosecutor’s office,” said Lt. Nicholas Angell with Maui Police Department Criminal Investigation Division.

“He stole a bunch of items from up there.”

Sources told Hawaii News Now that Kaanana even led MPD on a high-speed police chase through Wailuku on Sunday.

Wailuku resident Lucas Alo and his family were caught in the middle of that.

“Around 9:00 a.m. we were by Kaohu Street at the intersection and as we were approaching the stop sign, there was a car across the intersection at the stop sign already and then we seen the black Dodge overtake the car, come flying through the intersection at like 60/70 miles an hour,” said Alo.

“Then we seen a tail of cop cars, about three of them chasing him from behind. It’s kind of nuts. It’s kind of scary because we had our kids in the car too, me and my wife, and my two daughters ... if we were there three seconds earlier probably would have been a head-on collision,” Alo said.

Police say Kaanana was last seen fleeing on foot.

Kaanana is described as 5-foot-8, weighing at 160 pounds. He also has two tattoos: “KAANANA” down his spine and a tribal tattoo on the left forearm with “96793.”

Police say Kaanana frequents the Wailuku area.

“That’s our last information, he’s around Wailuku someplace. But we are not ruling out other places on Maui,” Lt. Angell said.

Kaanana has dozens of prior felony arrests including drugs, firearms and robbery.

“We really appreciate any assistance from the public if they have any sightings of him, possible whereabouts, how we can locate him. Obviously always exercise extreme caution,” said Lt. Angell.

Anyone with information on Kaanana’s current whereabouts is encouraged to call MPD at (808) 244-6468.

Those who want remain anonymous can call Maui Crime Stoppers at (808) 242-6966.

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