Slain Maui man’s kin
awaits justice more
than a year later

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By Gary T. Kubota
gkubota@starbulletin.com

WAILUKU >> More than 16 months after Nathan Ilar's death, the family of the slain businessman still hopes for justice and the arrest of his alleged killer.

"Basically, what we're looking for now is closure," said Nathan's brother Jonathan.

Kamuela "Kami" A. Sanchez, 36, indicted by a Maui grand jury on a manslaughter charge in Ilar's death, has been sought by police since January 2000.

"From the time of the incident, we never were able to locate him, so he's still at large," Detective Brian Kaya said. "We don't even know if he's still in the state. We want to put him into the public's attention."

Ilar, 32, who started the travel company Hawaii Impressions, was visiting with friends at a barbecue at Cove Park in Kihei at 9:30 p.m. Jan. 28 when he noticed an altercation.

"We honestly don't know the whole story because there was a whole scuffle," Jonathan Ilar said. According to friends, Nathan went over to calm down the conflict and ask a man to leave.

Ilar said the man struck Nathan unexpectedly and fled.

"Somebody still saw Nathan down, and that's when they realized he was injured badly," Jonathan said.

Nathan died two days later without regaining consciousness.

Nathan Ilar, a graduate of Baldwin High School, started his own business in 1999 after working at Akina Tours as an aide on buses that shuttled the handicapped and impaired. He later became a tour driver and sales manager for the company.

He enjoyed riding horses and began a children's riding unit for parades on Maui.

"To me, he accomplished everything he wanted to," said Jonathan, who has become a partner in the travel company. "He lived with no regrets. He was just full of life."

Sanchez is described as 160 to 170 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.

Anyone with information concerning Sanchez may call toll-free 1-888-242-6966.