Motive elusive in
Aiea shootingCo-workers describe
the Aloha Stadium worker
as dedicated and well liked
Honolulu police said they are trying to determine the motive for the shooting death of a 49-year-old Aiea man on Sunday.
The Honolulu medical examiner identified the victim as Greg Morishima, of Aiea, an assistant parking supervisor for Aloha Stadium. The cause of death is listed as a gunshot wound to the abdomen.
Greg Morishima: The shooting victim was proud of being a golfer and a fisherman
Arnold Morishima said he is shocked and puzzled over his brother's death.
"Why would somebody shoot my brother? It must be something big. I don't know. I don't know what's happening," he said.
Greg Morishima, his wife and three children lived with Arnold and other family members at the family home on Kaamilo Street, a 15-minute walk from the Aiea home where the shooting occurred.
About 9:20 p.m. Sunday, police said, three masked men went to 99-121 Pamoho Place and confronted the homeowner and Morishima, who were in the garage. Morishima was a frequent visitor to the home and a friend of the owner, said Lt. Bill Kato, Honolulu Police Department Homicide Detail.
The owner told police two men were armed with handguns while the third was armed with a rifle. All three fired at Morishima, hitting him in the lower abdomen, Kato said. Morishima was taken to Kapiolani Medical Center in critical condition and was transferred to the Queen's Medical Center, where he died.
Other witnesses told police they saw a large sport utility vehicle drive off following the shooting.
Police went back to Pamoho Place yesterday to talk to other residents of the home.
Neighbors said the home is frequented by many different people. Police have responded to the home previously. On April 23, 2002, police were looking for Clinton Candelario, who was wanted on five state court bench warrants after flunking out of the Hawaii Drug Court Program. The home was one of Candelario's known hangouts.
When police arrived, Candelario jumped out a window and ran. They eventually caught up to him at a home on Kauhale Street where Candelario was trying to drive off in a stolen car. Police shot and killed Candelario after he pinned an officer between the car and the side of the garage.
Just 10 months ago, Greg and Arnold Morishima, two other brothers and a sister were mourning the death of their father, George Yoshiharu "Cowboy" Morishima, 78, who died while hiking in Nuuanu to gather bamboo shoots and fern roots for the New Year's celebration. His body was found Jan. 4, after a massive search of the Nuuanu Valley hiking trails near Jackass Ginger.
News of Greg Morishima's death shocked employees of Aloha Stadium where he had worked part time since 1985.
Supervisor Engel Garcia said he remembers Morishima as a man who was passionate about his job and his hobbies.
"He was always very proud of being both a golfer and a fisherman," said Garcia. "And he was a hard worker who was dedicated to the stadium. He loved his job and we loved him, too."
Star-Bulletin reporter Rod Antone contributed to this story.
