On Monday, May 4, 2026, a key witness in the Kula homicide case told a Wailuku jury that another Makawao man pulled the trigger in a 2023 killing. Carl Rackley, who was briefly arrested during the early stages of the investigation, took the stand and identified the alleged shooter while admitting he later helped move the victim’s body because he said he was afraid. His testimony is part of the prosecution’s case against 58-year-old John Joseph Smith.
Former suspect describes what he saw
Rackley testified that he was present when the victim, Jonathan Awai, was shot. When defense counsel asked if he actually saw the shooting, he answered, “Yes, I was.” He told the courtroom, “The only people who really knows what happened are sitting in this courtroom,” according to Hawaii News Now. Rackley also acknowledged helping to move and dispose of the body, but said fear of Smith drove his decisions, the outlet reported.
How the case began
Hunters found human remains wrapped in plastic on July 5, 2023, along a remote trail off Keanuhea Street near the Waiohuli Hawaiian Homestead in Kula. Authorities later identified the victim as 36-year-old Makawao resident Jonathan Awai. Initial arrests and indictments followed that summer, with contemporaneous reporting outlining the discovery and early charges, according to The Maui News.
Charges, bail and what's next
Prosecutors have charged John Joseph Smith in Awai’s death, and he is being held on $1,000,000 bail. He is due to go on trial in January, according to court reporting. Hawaii News Now also reported that Rackley was arrested early in the investigation but was never charged. During cross-examination, defense attorney Keith Shigetomi pressed him on whether he had any agreement with prosecutors. Rackley told the court he had no deal and said he wanted “to try to do what’s right,” according to the same reporting.
