Thomas Malone’s family and supporters gathered at the shooting site days after prosecutors secured a grand jury indictment.
HONOLULU, Hawaii — Family members and supporters of Thomas Malone gathered at the Kailua parking lot where the 30-year-old was fatally shot, mourning a father remembered for his humor and athletic achievements as a murder case stemming from his death moves forward.
The Friday night vigil came less than a week after Malone was killed Sept. 26 outside a Target store near the Kailua Fall Festival. The gathering also followed a grand jury’s indictment of Hilinaikailimakualopali Keeno, 24, on second-degree murder and firearms charges. Keeno has pleaded not guilty and is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
A large crowd gathered at the memorial site as Malone’s father spoke about his son’s personality and thanked the community for its support. He described Malone as a man with a big heart, strong spirit and sense of humor. He also urged those mourning his son not to allow anger or revenge to guide their grief, instead calling for truth and justice through the legal process.
Malone’s family previously said he was a father of three with another child on the way. People who knew him also remembered his athletic career. A former coach said Malone played on Kaiser’s state championship football team and was respectful toward coaches and elders. He also competed in soccer and track and was a state champion in track, according to family and former coaches.
The shooting happened shortly after 8:30 p.m. during a busy evening near the Kailua Fall Festival. Police said two groups had been arguing before the dispute continued into the Target parking lot. Court records later described a group being removed from the festival for fighting before another confrontation developed across the area.
Police said Malone was shot during the confrontation and pronounced dead at the scene. The shooting occurred near an event attended by hundreds of people, prompting investigators to seek photographs and video from witnesses and others who had been nearby. Police said even recordings that did not appear to capture the shooting could contain information useful to detectives.
Investigators initially said witnesses at the scene were unable to identify a suspect. Court records later said another witness came forward two days after the shooting and identified Keeno as the person who allegedly fired the gun. Police apprehended Keeno shortly before 11 p.m. Sept. 28. Two other men were arrested for disorderly conduct and later released on bail.
Before the grand jury indictment, Keeno appeared in court and entered a not guilty plea through her attorney, Andrew Strand. Strand challenged the evidence against her and sought to have her $1 million bail reduced. He said witnesses had identification problems and argued that prosecutors lacked forensic evidence tying Keeno to the shooting. The judge denied the bail reduction request.
The grand jury subsequently indicted Keeno on second-degree murder, carrying or using a firearm in the commission of a separate felony and a place-to-keep firearms offense. Prosecutors also charged her as a multiple offender. A second-degree murder conviction ordinarily carries the possibility of life imprisonment with parole, while prosecutors may seek enhanced sentencing if the required legal findings are made.
The vigil marked a public moment of remembrance as Malone’s family confronted both its loss and the beginning of what could be a lengthy court process. Keeno remained in custody following the indictment and was due back in court Monday. No determination of guilt has been made.
Author note: Last updated October 4, 2026.