Update: Murder suspect’s vehicle found in Kōkeʻe; victim’s name released

Updated at 4:52 p.m.: Murder victim Delwood Kalei Gardner was the brother of Moses “Lono” Gardner, a 50-year-old Lāwa‘i hiker found dead in Kōkeʻe State Park in May 2022, records indicate.

The body of Moses Gardner – who had been reported missing days earlier – was discovered off Miloli’i Ridge Road by Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resource Division of Forestry personnel conducting routine operations. No foul play was suspected, according to law enforcement at the time.

Police sources told Hawai’i News Now that Gardner fatally shot his father with a speargun during an argument early Thursday.

Updated at 4:34 p.m.: Fifty-two-year-old Delwood Kalei Gardner of Kahili Mountain has been identified as the victim killed during a domestic altercation in Lāwa‘i earlier today.

Suspect Kody Kalei Gardner is believed to be in the Kōkeʻe area on the West Side of Kaua‘i, where police have found the white 2017 GMC pickup truck at Waimea Canyon Lookout.

Kody Kalei Gardner is of Asian ancestry, 5-feet-4-inches tall, 120 pounds with black hair, black eyes and slim build.

Anyone with information on Gardner’s whereabouts is urged to call KPD Dispatch at 808-241-1711.

Updated at 1:25 p.m.: A Facebook user named Britney Fujioka, the apparent sister of murder suspect Kody Kalei Gardner, is asking the Kaua‘i community to call 911 if they see her brother.

“LET ME ADDRESS IT HERE: YES, this is my brother. YES, he killed my dad. YES, he’s mentally unstable,” Fujioka wrote. “CALL 911 IF YOU SEE HIM. KAUA’I SHARE THIS.”

Original post: The Kaua‘i Police Department is searching for a 22-year-old suspect who may be connected with a homicide in Kalāheo on Thursday.

The public is advised not to approach Kody Kalei Gardner, 22, who is believed to be operating a white 2017 GMC pickup truck with licensed plate number 210TWJ.

Early Thursday, a domestic altercation on Kuilei Street in Lāwa‘i resulted in a fatal injury to an adult male. Gardner is believed to have fled the scene. His whereabouts are unknown at this time.

Anyone with information on Gardner and his whereabouts is asked to call 911.

Police officials did not immediately respond to a request for additional information.

Editor’s note: this story has been updated to reflect a correction issued by the Kaua‘i Police Department, regarding the spelling of the suspect’s name.