Image courtesy of Brianna Enriquez-Cabalis
Do you know what happened to “Shaka Steve?”
A little over two weeks ago, Shaka Steve reportedly suffered a fatal beating at his home. This is the man who is known throughout Puna to have frequently hitchhikd back and forth to Pahoa waving shaka from the side of the road. He lived off of Highway 130 just past the entrance to Leilani Estates, his driveway denoted by a spraypainted wooden sign reading, “Steve.”
December 30th, 2012 at 6:24 pm
Lots of folks have asked me about this… I won’t post anything on my site until something has been said by the HPD.
This reminds me of another case, “Adam Yarbro”. When folks like this go missing… I wonder how much the police really attempt to solve the missing person’s case:
http://damontucker.com/2012/02/16/big-island-police-still-searching-for-man-missing-since-2010/
December 30th, 2012 at 7:53 pm
Are the police even working on this? I have not heard anything on the radio or the other newspapers…
December 30th, 2012 at 8:08 pm
No. I have seen nothing, and decided to wait no longer to publicize an inquiry.
December 30th, 2012 at 8:19 pm
Thanks Tiff. I’ve heard a couple different stories …. but everyone just says “I heard ……”. We really need to know if he is off with family or friends, in the hospital ….. or if this poor soul was murdered.
We have a right to know if someone out there in our community is a murderer!
Kim
December 30th, 2012 at 8:23 pm
Kim, my understanding is that Shaka Steve died in the hospital in Honolulu, having been left for dead after a violent beating
December 30th, 2012 at 10:42 pm
If these reports are right, this is the kind of case that deserves resources, if this harmless man was killed there is a murderer in our community that needs to be caught. Please allocate the resources to get it done.
December 31st, 2012 at 8:37 am
Police need to get on this then! They may not be concerned that Steve died, but they should be very concerned that someone in the area is capable of beating a near helpless person to death!
As for Steve, he seemed to be a kind, friendly but lost soul. Unlike the man killed in Hilo who had a bit of a background.
Rest in Peace, Shaka Steve. Shaka right back at you!
Kim
December 31st, 2012 at 3:37 pm
Has anyone asked the Police? Or do we just blog conspiratorial questions?
I did ask an officer and was informally told ‘a forensic pathologist determined his head trauma came from a fall, not a beating.’
R.I.P. Steve
January 1st, 2013 at 1:22 am
If this is true Harley-D, mahalo for the update and glad to know that he passed on his own.
Braddah never seemed to harm anyone and just wanted a nickle, a ride, or a friend at times.
RIP Shaka Steve.
January 1st, 2013 at 3:43 pm
Agree with Damon. Thank you, Harley-D.
I did not like the thought of Shaka Steve facing a deadly beating, being unable to defend himself. It would be such a helpless fear.
It would also make sense that we didn’t read anything about his death if it was an accident.
Rest in Peace Shaka Steve. Fly Free and happy.
Kim
January 1st, 2013 at 7:36 pm
I am most saddened to learn of Shaka Steve’s passing. He was one of the fixtures of Pahoa and Leilani. Most everytime I saw him, he would hop in the bed of my truck and get a ride to or from Pahoa Town. Aloha o’e Steve…