What was supposed to be a routine evening of youth baseball on Molokai turned into a terrifying scramble when gunfire rang out near the Kualapuu recreational field, leaving kids and parents shaken and demanding answers.
Parents say an 11-year-old and his teammates were just yards from where two shots went off during Little League practice last week, forcing coaches to quickly corral the kids as families tried to figure out where the bullets were coming from and whether it was safe to stay. Some neighbors and youth-sports volunteers are now openly weighing whether to hit pause on practices until they know who pulled the trigger and why.
As reported by Hawaii News Now, 11-year-old Christian Hoewaa said the first shot struck a tree and the second “flew between me and my teammate.” His grandfather, Godfrey Akaka Jr., told the outlet that while “ninety‑nine percent of the community of Molokai is hunters,” some people “are not practicing safety or hunter etiquette.” The family shared what happened in a Molokai Facebook group after hearing about similar close calls from other coaches. Residents who spoke to the station say they want clearer rules and enforcement to keep public fields safe.
Police response and investigation
The Maui Police Department is investigating the incident and has classified it as second‑degree reckless endangering, saying the shots likely involved poachers, according to Hawaii News Now. Anyone with information is asked to call the department’s non‑emergency line at (808) 244‑6400, the number listed on Maui County's website. Residents point out that Molokai patrols cover wide, rural areas, which can make it tough to consistently enforce hunting and firearms rules around public parks and ballfields.
What the charge means
Under Hawaii law, reckless endangering in the second degree covers conduct that “recklessly places another person in danger of death or serious bodily injury” and can include firing a weapon in a populated area. The Hawaii Revised Statutes categorize the offense as a misdemeanor, with prosecutors deciding on charges after detectives finish collecting evidence. The full statute text is available in the relevant section of the Hawaii Revised Statutes.
Community reaction and next steps
In the wake of the scare, families and coaches say they are prepared to press officials for clearer signage, better coordination around hunting seasons, and temporary schedule changes to avoid higher‑risk times at the Kualapuu field. Some residents are calling for county or state agencies to increase targeted patrols and community outreach on hunter etiquette so youth sports are not sharing space with stray bullets.
For now, parents are urging anyone who was near the field the night of the shots to contact police with tips or any video that might help identify who fired and whether charges will follow. Until that happens, they say, the island’s love of hunting and its love of youth baseball are on a collision course that needs a safe, sensible reset.
