Posted on: Tuesday, May 31, 2005

Man held in death of woman on Moloka'i

Associated Press

KAUNAKAKAI, Moloka'i — A Moloka'i man was charged yesterday in the death of the mother of his two children.

Manden Kamai, 24, of Kaunakakai, was being held on $21,000 bail after being charged with manslaughter and abuse of a household member, police said.

Olakalani Mollena, 22, of Kaunakakai, was pronounced dead Sunday at The Queen's Medical Center in Honolulu. She had three children, the youngest a month old.

Mollena was originally taken to Moloka'i General Hospital after a fight Saturday night outside the Hotel Moloka'i.

Witnesses said there was an argument at a party at the hotel. The fight moved outside the hotel, and Mollena's body was found later across the street.

Police said she had been punched once in the head.

Homicides on Moloka'i are rare, with the last occurring about four years ago.