Man faces court over fatal Kings Park stabbing of Maaka Hakiwai
An 18-year-old Sydenham man has faced court over the stabbing death of 17-year-old Maaka Hakiwai in Kings Park on Grand Final day.
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A teenager has appeared in court, charged with the stabbing murder of 17-year-old Maaka Hakiwai on a suburban street in Melbourne’s north west.
Joshua Horton, 18, was charged overnight with murdering Mr Hakiwai in Kings Park on September 28.
The teenager fronted the Melbourne’s Magistrates’ Court for a filing hearing this morning where the court heard it was his first time in adult prison.
Dressed in a black t-shirt and sporting a buzz cut, Mr Horton did not speak during his brief appearance.
No application for bail was made and he will return to court for a committal mention in February..
Maaka Hakiwai, 17, was killed and his brother Nate, 18, was critically injured when five young men pulled over in a car and demanded Nate’s cap on Saturday September 28, according to his family.
An 18-year-old Sydenham man has been charged with one count of murder, armed robbery and intentionally cause serious injury.
While too grief-stricken to speak themselves, the family released a statement to thank friends, family and strangers for their contributions to a GoFundMe page that has now reached their target goal of $70,000 with the support of family, friends and anonymous donations.
“Maaka and Nate were not only brothers, they were best friends who did everything together; born less than a year apart the boys were inseparable and loved by all who knew them,” the statement read.
“Both boys had immense love for their family, were devoted brothers and protectors of their two younger sisters.”
Older brother Nate Hakiwai, 18, was initially critical but his condition improved following treatment at The Alfred hospital.
Close friend of the boys, Byron, said Nate were “shattered” about his brother’s death.
“I would see him nearly every day and now for him to be gone is such a shock,” Byron told the Herald Sun. “I’m completely shattered; he will always be with us in our hearts.
“He was the most humble and loving kid.”
The family recently moved to Melbourne from the Gold Coast.