Wailuku, Hawaii — A potential settlement is on the horizon for the family of Nathaniel Naki, who died after being shot by police on Molokai in a confrontation captured by a body camera last year. The Maui County Council recently approved the possibility of negotiations, fueling speculation about the closure of a contentious legal dispute.
The incident, which occurred on April 30, 2023, has prompted a lawsuit from Naki’s family who argue that his death was the result of improper use of deadly force. Reports suggest that the officers involved were responding to a claim of Naki violating a restraining order when they resorted to lethal measures following an unsuccessful attempt to subdue him with a Taser. At the time of the shooting, Naki was reported to be holding a machete.
The legal proceedings, initiated in U.S. District Court in Honolulu, have underscored complex themes around the use of force and mental health in law enforcement practices. The lawsuit contends the officers’ actions, which included the rapid escalation from shouted demands to gunfire, breached Naki’s constitutional rights including protections against excessive force and unlawful detention.
Local officials, including Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen — a former county prosecutor and Second Circuit Court judge — have backed the decision to examine a settlement, though details surrounding the potential financial terms remain undisclosed. The sensitive nature of the ongoing legal challenges has led to reticent responses from involved parties, with representatives for both the Maui Police and Maui County Council refraining from detailed commentary due to litigation concerns.
Tragically, the scene of the shooting was near where Naki’s mother and stepfather resided, a mere 200 yards away. They reportedly rushed to the site only to find barriers preventing them from reaching Naki, who was seriously wounded and died shortly thereafter.
Local authorities, including Maui Police Chief John Pelletier, have communicated the difficulties faced by officers when dealing with situations involving individuals experiencing mental health or substance abuse issues. During a press briefing days after the incident, Pelletier highlighted the broader challenges to law enforcement beyond just upholding laws, including ensuring safety and addressing complex social issues.
Assistant Chief Keola Tom provided a recount of the moments leading to the shooting, explaining that officers had repeatedly warned Naki to disarm and maintain distance, requests that were ultimately followed by the use of their weapons when he advanced toward them while still armed.
Naki’s death has ignited discussions about the protocols of law enforcement, especially in responses to non-violent offenses. His family’s lawsuit points to the actions taken as disproportionate to the supposed misdemeanor violation of a restraining order, stressing that Naki was neither resisting nor attempting to flee at the time.
As negotiations for a potential settlement proceed, the community and Naki’s family await answers and accountability, hoping for resolutions that also address broader concerns of law enforcement practices and mental health awareness within the community. The outcome of these discussions could set precedents for how similar cases are approached in the future, particularly on the islands where every community member’s action reverberates deeply.