Police last night were searching for two males in connection with the shooting death of an 18-year-old Kalihi man early yesterday at Ala Moana Beach Park.

The victim was identified as Khaynava Phanthanouvong. The city medical examiner's office said an autopsy will be done today to determine the cause of death.

Police said Phanthanouvong was at a party with friends Sunday night when he and a male agreed to meet at Ala Moana park to fight. Phanthanouvong and some friends arrived at the park at about 2:30 a.m. yesterday, and Phanthanouvong and another male got out of their car at the Waikiki end of the park, police said.

Two other males approached Phanthanouvong and his companion, and words were exchanged. Police said one of the males shot Phanthanouvong, while Phanthanouvong's friend was beaten with a baseball bat by the other male.

After the groups were separated, police said, more shots were fired at the victims, and the suspects fled. Phanthanouvong told his friends that he had been shot and they took him to The Queen's Medical Center, where he died about 2:50 p.m.

No arrests had been made as of yesterday afternoon.

Honolulu police Maj. Alan Bluemke said police got a report of a big fight between two groups of young men near the Magic Island side of the park. Witnesses reported one man pulled out a handgun and began firing.

Bluemke said the two groups were fighting on the park road, with one group consisting of 15 to 20 people and the other group of about five people. Police said the victim was with the smaller group.

Police closed the road on the diamondhead end of the park from early morning until about 8:30 a.m., shutting off Magic Island and the section of the park closest to the concession building. After collecting evidence that included a slipper in the middle of the road, police re-opened the park road between the Waikiki Yacht Club and Magic Island.

"We are looking for a suspect described as local male, about 5-4, stocky build, wearing a light-colored T-shirt and blue jeans," Bluemke said.

Although Ala Moana Beach Park officially closes from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., the urban park still remains popular with runners, walkers, homeless campers and others.

Police are asking anyone who has information or who may have witnessed the confrontation, or events leading up to it, to call the CrimeStoppers tip line at 955-8300.