Family of man killed by Hawaii Island police demands justice

OCEAN VIEW, Hawaii (HawaiiNewsNow) – The sisters of Nafetalai Teisina, 31, who was shot and killed by a police officer last week say they plan to file a lawsuit.

Teisina was shot in a lava field in Ocean View when a rookie officer fatally shot him for throwing rocks.

Police say officers were trying to arrest Teisina for stealing sunglasses.

Salote Teisina, Nafetalai’s sister, said the family is still trying to process everything.

“It’s one thing to know that death comes for all of us,” Salote said. “But to realize the way that our brother was taken from us, that’s the hard part.”

Police Chief Reed Mahuna said last week that early reports indicate the officer’s actions may have been justified.

Nafetalai’s family says they will be filing a lawsuit.

Sisilia Teisina, Nafetalai’s other sister, questioned the circumstances of the shooting.

“He had nothing else to defend himself. So what else would he have grabbed to defend himself?” Sisilia said.

His sisters want people to know their brother was a caring uncle, a talented carpenter and an incredible athlete.

“Our brother was not that moment,” Salote said. “Our brother was a two-time state champion O-lineman. Our brother was a talented singer. He was a musician. Our brother was a loving uncle.”

The Teisina family says their lives have been shattered, but they are relying on their faith to pull them through this challenging time, especially for their parents.

“When I called my mom, that cry,” said Salote.

“She’s trying to be strong for us kids and we’re trying to be strong for her. But she’s breaking. I even asked my brother and sister, I was like, do you think this is kind of the breaking point for mom and dad? Like after this, it’s slowly gonna probably kill them too,” Sisilia said.

The officer who shot Teisina was put on administrative leave, which police say is standard procedure.

Hawaii News Now reached out to Hawaii County Police on Tuesday for more information on the case, but did not hear back.

Sisilia said her family is working toward forgiveness.

“I hope that this doesn’t ever happen to any of them and their families,” she said. “I hope that the officer that made that decision to take my little brother for me and my family, my sons, I hope that this pain doesn’t ever come upon him and his family.”