Kawaihae Assault Reclassified as Homicide After Woman Dies

Hawai‘i Island police confirmed that an assault in Kawaihae on Jan. 3 has been reclassified as a homicide after the victim, 40-year-old Leah Bannister of Kurtistown, died of her injuries at Queen’s North Hawai‘i Community Hospital on Jan. 4. Officers initially responded to a report of an unresponsive woman inside a vehicle and transported Bannister to the hospital in serious condition.

Investigators say Bannister had been involved in an altercation at a residence earlier in the evening before entering a Nissan SUV and striking a parked vehicle that was occupied by children. A 38-year-old man identified as Heʻenalu Luta reportedly punched Bannister at the scene. Police have described the case as an active criminal investigation handled by the Area II Criminal Investigation Section.

The reclassification from assault to homicide shifts the scope of the inquiry and signals investigators are treating Bannister’s death as resulting from criminal actions connected to the earlier confrontation and the vehicle collision. An autopsy will be scheduled to determine the official cause and manner of death, and toxicology and medical examinations will inform ongoing investigative steps.

For residents of North Hawai‘i, the episode underscores concerns about public safety, domestic confrontations spilling into public spaces, and the vulnerability of bystanders, including children. The presence of children in the parked vehicle elevates community worry and reinforces calls for vigilance and cooperation with law enforcement as detectives work to establish a full timeline and motive.

Police have asked anyone with information about the incident to contact the Area II Criminal Investigation Section. Tips from the public can assist investigators in piecing together events leading up to Bannister’s death and identifying any additional witnesses. As the legal process unfolds, charges and further details will depend on the findings of the autopsy and the criminal investigation.

Community leaders and residents looking for updates should monitor official Hawai‘i Island Police Department channels for further announcements. The investigation remains open, and authorities continue to seek any information that could help resolve the case.