Officer Kaanana was a graduate of Roosevelt High School class of 1958.

On July 3rd, 1965 Officer Kaanana arrived on scene with other officers at the Pali Lookout on the report of a sniper firing shots at passing vehicles on the Pali Highway.

While the officers were gathered and discussing a plan to search for the suspect, the suspect began firing on the officers from a concealed location in the brush.

Officer Kaanana and another officer were hit by the shots fired. Officer Kaanana died from the injuries he sustained from the ambush.