Accused murderer Daniel Kahanaoi smirked and extended his middle finger as a friend of victim Craig Kimsel stood up in court yesterday morning to denounce the defendant.

The exchange occurred in a brief District Court hearing in which murder, burglary and other charges were formally lodged against Kahanaoi.

After Judge Edwin Nacino set a preliminary hearing date for next week, Tim Hershman stood up in the audience and identified himself as one of Kimsel's best friends and tried to speak on behalf of Kimsel.

As deputy sheriffs converged on Hershman to escort him out of court, Kahanaoi extended his middle finger at Hershman.

Kahanaoi is accused of shooting Kimsel to death Tuesday evening at the victim's Kailua home.

Outside court, Hershman said he flew to Honolulu from Kona to attend yesterday's hearing.

"He was my best friend, the best man at my wedding," Hershman said of Kimsel, an attorney.

"I hope justice prevails and he (Kahanaoi) spends the rest of his life in prison," Hershman said.

Kahanaoi's brother, Joseph, and sister-in-law, Vernette, were in court to support the defendant.

"He's a good person," said Joseph Kahanaoi.

"The question is why, why did this happen?" said Vernette Kahanaoi. "There's two sides to every story."