Seniola Kafoa, 47, was sentenced to 20 years in prison for the killing of 53-year-old Sione Paletua, a father of seven. The incident took place on July 20, 2024, in Maui, Hawaii. Kafoa, convicted of manslaughter in May, killed Paletua after learning about his affair with Kafoa’s wife. Authorities responded to the scene where they found Paletua unconscious, suffering from a severe arm injury. Despite paramedics’ efforts, Paletua was pronounced dead at the hospital.
A witness claimed to have seen Kafoa standing over Paletua’s body before fleeing the scene in a Honda. Police later found the abandoned vehicle and arrested Kafoa on a second-degree murder charge. However, the jury convicted him of manslaughter, a verdict that disappointed the victim’s family.
Victim’s Family Impact
Paletua’s oldest daughter spoke emotionally about the loss, highlighting how her family had already lost their mother to cancer in 2011 and now faced the loss of their father. “One of the main things that we will miss about our dad is just having that sense of security,” she shared, as the family mourned the loss of both parents.
Apology and Sentencing
Kafoa expressed his regret to Paletua’s family through a Tongan interpreter. During sentencing, Prosecutor Frank Loyd emphasized the importance of sending a strong message that no one has the right to kill someone because of infidelity. Circuit Judge Peter Cahill issued the maximum 20-year sentence, noting that while the death was tragic, it could not be ignored.
