Bioreports: . News articles! A California family claims it was targeted in a racially motivated attack at a luxury Maui resort after a group allegedly hurled chairs and beat relatives ranging from teenagers to people in their 6srcs during a chaotic poolside brawl. Maui police confirmed to . News Digital that officers responded to the Kaanapali Alii resort in Lahaina on July 17 around 1src p.m. for a disorderly incident involving approximately 3src people. Police said when officers arrived they found 1src to 15 people still gathered near the pool, several with visible injuries. Police confirmed the preliminary investigation identified seven California victims between the ages of 17 and 62 who reported that a large group of juveniles assaulted multiple members of their party before fleeing. According to Maui police, one victim told investigators he and his family were near the pool when an unknown male ran toward them asking for help.
Moments later, several juvenile males allegedly chased the individual into the area before turning their attention to others nearby. CITIES BRACE FOR HOLIDAY WEEKEND TEEN TAKEOVERS PUTTING BYSTANDERS AT DEADLY RISK, FORMER PROSECUTOR WARNS
An aerial view of the Kaanapali Alii resort in Lahaina, Hawaii. (Kaanapali Alii Facebook)
“The group allegedly began throwing chairs and physically assaulting numerous people in the area, indiscriminately attacking individuals of all ages, including elderly family members who were struck during the incident,” Maui police told . News Digital. Family members told Hawaii News Now the alleged attackers repeatedly threatened to “beat up the haole boys” before the violence erupted.
Merriam-Webster defines “haole” as a Hawaiian term used to describe a foreigner or person of non-Hawaiian descent. CRAZY BRAWL OVER A PARKING SPOT IN NEW YORK INCLUDES A VICIOUS SKATEBOARD TO THE HEAD
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Low-angle view of the waters off Kaanapali Beach in Maui, Hawaii.
(Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images)
The family told the outlet it wants the assault investigated as a hate crime. Maui police have not classified the incident as a hate crime. One of the most seriously injured victims was a relative who was struck in the head with a chair while trying to protect family members, suffering a severe head wound that required 13 staples, according to the family. Maui police confirmed to . News Digital that detectives have now arrested four people in connection with the July 17 incident. The latest arrests include a 14-year-old Lahaina boy on suspicion of riot and second-degree assault, a 16-year-old Wailuku boy on suspicion of riot and second-degree assault, and a 16-year-old Lahaina boy on suspicion of riot. All three juveniles were released to their parents after family court was notified of the investigation, police said. Those arrests follow the earlier arrest of a 2src-year-old Makawao man on suspicion of second-degree assault, who was later released pending the ongoing investigation.
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A Maui Police Department vehicle in Lahaina, Hawaii. (Maui Police Department Facebook)
In a statement to . News Digital, Kaanapali Alii said the safety and well-being of its guests, residents and team members “remains our highest priority” and that resort security responded immediately after the violence broke out.
“Upon learning of the altercation, our security team responded promptly, contacted the Maui Police Department and emergency medical services, and remained on scene to assist until first responders arrived,” the resort said. “We have provided surveillance footage and are cooperating fully with law enforcement as their investigation continues.”
The resort said security personnel also provided first aid until police and emergency medical responders arrived. Asked about the family’s allegation that they were targeted because of their race, the resort said it takes allegations of threatening, discriminatory or inappropriate behavior seriously. “We take allegations of threatening, discriminatory, or inappropriate behavior seriously,” the resort said. “The reported remarks referenced in the question do not involve resort personnel. The circumstances surrounding the incident are being reviewed by law enforcement, and we are cooperating fully with their investigation.”
Visitors walk along the Kaanapali Beachwalk amid palm trees and landscaped grounds overlooking Kaanapali North Beach at the Outrigger Honua Kai Resort and Spa, Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii, July 11, 2src26. (Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images)
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The property said it has taken steps to further enhance security and strengthen coordination with local law enforcement and neighboring properties but would not publicly discuss specific security protocols or personnel actions while the criminal investigation remains active.
“While we do not publicly discuss specific security protocols, personnel actions, witness accounts, or measures taken to protect our guests, residents, and employees, we remain focused on safety and secure environments for owners, guests, and employees,” the resort said. “Out of respect for privacy and the specific individualized nature of accommodations arrangements, we continue to cooperate fully with law enforcement as they review the incident. -
Maui police emphasized that detectives continue to gather and review evidence and said the investigation remains active.
The department also addressed the family’s allegations that the attack was racially motivated, saying detectives will pursue any additional charges supported by the evidence. “If the investigation finds evidence that this incident was motivated by bias, including racial bias, or involved gang-related criminal activity, those offenses will be charged as appropriate,” Maui police told . News Digital. “Any applicable federal violations will be referred to our federal law enforcement partners for review and possible prosecution.”
Anyone with information or video related to the incident is asked to contact the Maui Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division at (8src8) 244-6425. Stepheny Price is a Writer at . News with a focus on West Coast and Midwest news, missing persons, national and international crime stories, homicide cases, and border security.
