Samuel Gilbert Jr. was 69 and lived in the Waikiki Whaler at 232 Kaiulani Avenue. On June 30, 1998, he was found stabbed to death in his office. Gilbert was tied to the building professionally and familiarly: he was identified as owner of Kapuni Developers, property manager for the Waikiki Whaler, and president of Kapuni Development Corp., a family company associated with the building’s ownership.

Police early on described the killing as apparently occurring during a robbery attempt, but no suspect, arrest, or trial followed that year; by the end of 1998 it remained Oahu’s only unsolved murder. The Honolulu Police Department continues to list Gilbert’s death as an open cold case and seeks information. If anyone knew Gilbert, his routine at the Waikiki Whaler, or saw anything on June 30, 1998, please contact investigators with what might help the case.