Police Provide Update on Firearms Incident Near Kailua-Kona School

Hawai‘i Island police are providing an update regarding a firearms incident that occurred on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, outside a residence located on the 75-5000 block of Queen Kaʻahumanu Highway. The residence is situated near a school and adjacent residential neighborhood.

As previously reported, at 1:36 p.m., police responded to a report of gunshots heard coming from the residence. Upon arrival, officers located three adult males at the scene. A preliminary investigation indicated that firearms had been discharged outside the residence, possibly as part of target practice or similar recreational shooting.

During the investigation, officers conducted a search of the residence and recovered two handguns and one shotgun. Both handguns had no serial numbers, (commonly known as a ghost guns), and the shotgun was not registered to any of the three individuals.

Officers also located a container holding a white powdery substance believed to be cocaine, three small zip packets containing a white powdery substance believed to be cocaine, $43,000 in cash, numerous small plastic zip-packets, and a small digital scale.

The three individuals arrested were identified as Austin Erickson, Eli Madrigal, and Joshua Ochoa, all age 18 and from Kona.

Following further investigation, Austin Erickson was charged with the following offenses:

• Second-degree reckless endangering
• Alteration of identification marks prohibited
• Manufacturing, purchasing, or obtaining firearm parts to assemble a firearm having no serial number marks prohibited
• Second-degree promoting a dangerous drug
• First-degree promoting a dangerous drug
• Second-degree promoting a detrimental drug
• Three counts of registration mandatory
• Three counts of permit to acquire firearms

Erickson’s total bail was set at $78,000.

Eli Madrigal was charged with second-degree reckless endangering with bail set at $1,000.

Joshua Ochoa was charged with second-degree reckless endangering and fourth-degree promoting a harmful drug. His bail was set at $2,000.

At this time, police have determined there is no active threat to the school or surrounding community. The investigation remains ongoing.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact Detective Aaron Tanaka of the Area II Criminal Investigation Section at (808) 326-4646 ext. 228, or via email at aaron.tanaka@hawaiipolice.gov.