TRAGEDY IN MAUI: Beloved Cat Rescuer Alfred Kailihiwa Dies After Being Attacked While Feeding Community Cats
The Maui animal welfare community is mourning the tragic loss of 71-year-old Alfred M. Kailihiwa, a beloved community cat caretaker who dedicated decades of his life to helping thousands of cats throughout Maui and across the Hawaiian Islands.
World Animal News spoke directly with the animal rescue Rusty Mauicat, who confirmed the heartbreaking news of Alfred’s passing and alerted WAN to the circumstances surrounding his death and the fundraising campaign established to support his family.
According to a GoFundMe created for Alfred’s family, he was feeding community cats at one of his regular locations in downtown Kahului on the night of August 6 when a man reportedly became upset because Alfred’s headlights were shining in his direction.
The fundraiser states that a scuffle followed and Alfred used pepper spray. Later that night, while feeding cats at another location, Alfred was reportedly attacked by the same man and others.
Alfred was rushed to Maui Memorial and placed on life support. He tragically passed away the following day, August 7, 2026.
Police have since arrested three people in connection with the fatal attack. Johnathan Koko-Kong, 31, and Richard Kealoha-Kaauwai, 34, were charged with second-degree murder, first-degree robbery, and second-degree assault and are being held without bail. A 36-year-old woman was also arrested and later released pending further investigation.
Rusty Mauicat shared a moving tribute honoring Alfred, affectionately known throughout the rescue community as the “Kupuna Trapper.”
“The world lost a wonderful man yesterday. Alfred Kailihiwa dedicated his life to caring for community cats on Maui. He and his sister Valerie fed about 700 cats a night, every night of the year, unless there was a bad storm. He also trapped cats almost every week for years to get them fixed at the Maui Humane Society. If it weren’t for his efforts (his sister did the detailed documentation of the cats that were trapped), the island would be swimming in cats.”
Alfred reportedly trapped thousands of cats over the years so they could be spayed or neutered, while also traveling to Oahu and the Big Island to help other rescue and trapping efforts.
“A few years ago, Alfred estimated that he’d trapped about 12,000 cats to be fixed. We suspect he did a couple thousand more between then and now. So, at least 14,000 cats? We don’t know.”
He was also deeply respected for encouraging and helping other members of the cat rescue community.
“Alfred had a wonderful and kind way of encouraging other trappers, sharing trapping tips, applauding our successes, and consoling us when we struggled. He’d stop by a trapping location to offer help, he’d loan cat traps, and even share cans of his best trapping sardines or tuna fish so we have every advantage. He wanted us to be successful.”
Rusty Mauicat said Alfred’s loss will leave an enormous void on the island.
“Maui will be so different without Alfred and his work. How he left this world makes our grief all the more acute. As he was feeding cats with his sister, he was badly injured in an altercation and passed away from his injuries last night, August 7, 2026. We hope in time, people will focus on Alfred’s charitable actions when they remember him – not how he passed. He was a man of dedication, generosity, kindness, devotion, and humor. There was nothing that felt better than eliciting a hearty chuckle from Alfred.”
Please consider donating to the GoFundMe campaign to help Alfred’s family with funeral and memorial expenses, as well as other costs related to his passing. Donations will go directly to his sister, Valerie Kailihiwa. According to the fundraiser, any remaining funds will be used in Alfred’s memory to provide cat food for Maui’s dedicated community cat caretakers and trappers.
Rusty Mauicat closed its tribute with a final farewell:
“Aloha Alfred, beloved ‘Kupuna Trapper.’”
World Animal News and Peace 4 Animals extend our deepest condolences to Alfred’s family, friends, fellow rescuers, and the entire Maui Cat Community. His extraordinary compassion and decades of dedication to animals will never be forgotten. May God bless Alfred and may he rest peacefully in Heaven, in Jesus’ mighty name, Amen!
