The 31-year-old Kalihi man accused of shooting his ex-girlfriend to death Tuesday had his first court appearance on first- and second-degree murder charges this morning in District Court.

Toi A. Nofoa also faces two firearms charges, and is being held on $4 million bail.

Nofoa said nothing in court this morning.

A conviction for first-degree murder would carry a mandatory prison term of life without the possibility of parole, which is the state's harshest penalty.

Nofoa was captured at a home in Waimanalo Tuesday night, nearly seven hours after his ex-girlfriend, 25-year-old Royal Kaukani, was shot as she sat in her sport utility vehicle near her Ewa home.

The shooting brought to an end a tumultuous relationship in which Kaukani accused Nofoa on several occasions of abusing her and repeatedly threatening to kill her.

The two had dated and lived together, but in 2006 Kaukani told police that Nofoa threw her down a flight of stairs. In June 2008, Kaukani filed for a protective order after Nofoa allegedly punched her, giving her a bloody nose and lip. Nofoa was also accused of kidnapping Kaukani at gunpoint in September.