On the late afternoon of August 21, 2021, a shooting on Māmalahoa Highway in Kealakekua drew Hawaiʻi Island police to a residence after a report came in at about 4:45 p.m. There, investigators identified the person who died as Frank Damiano, 61, a Native Hawaiian man.
Police described Damiano and the homeowner as acquaintances, and said Damiano had entered the residence before an argument erupted inside. During that confrontation, Damiano was shot. Detectives at the scene recovered the gun involved after the homeowner handed the firearm over to investigators.
The suspected shooter was identified by police as Donald Carpenter of Kealakekua. Carpenter was arrested at the scene and taken to the Kealakehe Police Station on suspicion of second-degree murder.
By the next day, after investigators conferred with the County Prosecutor’s Office, Carpenter was released on Sunday, August 22, 2021, while the investigation continued. Public updates from the initial police release framed the case as an ongoing investigation, with detectives continuing to gather information and asking anyone with relevant details to contact the Area II Criminal Investigation Section.
