Kukui Plaza slaying is still unsolved

Answer: The investigation is ongoing, according to Lt. Bill Kato of the Honolulu Police Department's Homicide Detail.

Late on the night of July 1, 2006, at Nuuanu Avenue and Kukui Street, Daniel W. Truelove and his brother were arguing with a prostitute when another man, alleged to be a pimp, intervened. Truelove was shot as he and his brother fled on foot on Nuuanu. He died at the Queen's Medical Center. Kato said the case has been difficult to move forward "with the lack of cooperation and lack of witnesses."

Dolores Mollring, head of the citizens patrol for Kukui Plaza, a residential high-rise near the shooting scene, said it is discouraging that the murder has yet to be solved.

After the shooting, brighter lights were installed outside Kukui Plaza, police increased patrols to deter illegal activity and residents and management at Kukui Plaza were more vigilant about what was happening in their neighborhood.

Earlier this year, lawmakers passed a bill that increases penalties for johns, or customers of prostitutes, upon the third conviction.

The crime becomes a misdemeanor instead of a petty misdemeanor and carries a penalty of up to a year in prison and up to a $2,000 fine, compared with a month in jail and a $1,000 fine.

The new law took effect in mid-June.

Rep. Karl Rhoads, who represents downtown Honolulu and Chinatown, said he has seen more prostitution busts by law enforcement in the neighborhood within the last six months.

"I've had a number of people say that things are getting better," he said.

Anyone with information on the shooting may call CrimeStoppers at 955-8300.