Filipino Man in Hawaii Faces Kidnapping, Firearms Charges After Police Standoff

OFFICE OF PROSECUTING ATTORNEY

A 43-year-old Filipino man in Hawaii is facing multiple criminal charges following an alleged armed standoff with police in Captain Cook, Hawai‘i.

According to Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen, Earl-Lewis Camacho was arrested after the incident on May 19, 2026 at a residence along Mamalahoa Highway.

Authorities said officers recovered three rifles a Winchester .22 Magnum rifle, a Marlin Firearms Co. .22 caliber rifle, and a Stevens Model 325-C rifle along with ammunition during the operation.

Camacho was supposed to appear before Kona District Court on Friday but remained at Kona Community Hospital under medical observation. The court ordered that he remain detained and set bail at $711,000. His arraignment was rescheduled for May 26, 2026.

Prosecutors have also requested that Camacho be held without bail.

The charges filed against him include kidnapping, carrying or using a firearm during the commission of a felony, felony abuse of a family or household member in the presence of a minor, terroristic threatening, and illegal possession of firearms and ammunition due to prior felony convictions.

Authorities said the most serious charges kidnapping and use of a firearm in a separate felony are Class A felonies punishable by up to 20 years in prison.

The investigation was led by Detective Aaron Yamanaka of the Hawai‘i Police Department.

Officials emphasized that the charges remain allegations and that Camacho is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.