Motive for 'Aiea murder sought

By Rod Ohira
Advertiser Staff Writer

Police were searching yesterday for three gunmen in the killing of a 49-year-old 'Aiea man who died Sunday night after he was shot several times in the garage of a Pamoho Place residence.

It appeared that three masked men carrying two handguns and a rifle confronted the victim and shot him after a few words were exchanged. Police were trying to find a motive for the 9:20 p.m. shooting.

The victim, identified by his family as Greg Morishima, was taken to Kapi'olani Medical Center at Pali Momi before being transferred to The Queen's Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 11:16 p.m.

"I don't know that he had any enemies," said the victim's brother, Gary Morishima. "This kind of tragedy will happen. We're thinking it might be a case of mistaken identity."

The shooting death is the second tragedy to strike the Morishima family this year. In January, the victim's father, George Y. "Cowboy" Morishima was found dead off the Judd Trail above Nu'uanu Pali Road after an extensive search.

News of Greg Morishima's death shocked employees at Aloha Stadium where he and his wife held part-time jobs.

"Greg was a good friend and good worker," said Engel Garcia, Aloha Stadium parking supervisor.

Greg Morishima was an assistant parking supervisor and his wife was an usher at the stadium.

Greg Morishima, who had three children ranging from a first-grade son to a 22-year-old daughter, was shot at least three times in the abdomen by three masked men who fled in a sport utility vehicle, police said.

Police were also investigating a shooting early yesterday at a Kailua bar.

A 16-year-old boy and 24-year-old man were shot at 12:30 a.m. during a confrontation outside of Porky's Sports Pub at 32 Maluniu Ave. The boy was in critical condition and the man in guarded condition, police said.

Police arrested a 30-year-old man. He was booked on suspicion of attempted murder.

Reach Rod Ohira at 535-8181 or rohira@honoluluadvertiser.com.