A 33-year-old Pepeekeo woman is in custody after allegedly firing a shot during a domestic dispute with her estranged boyfriend Sunday morning in Pahala.
Sophia Kaulakaimulani Kaawa-Aweau, also known as Sophia K. Aweau, is charged with first-degree burglary, first-degree reckless endangering, unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, using a firearm in the commission of a felony, fourth-degree theft and fourth-degree property damage.
Kaawa-Aweau made her initial appearance Tuesday in Kona District Court. According to court records, Judge Diana Van De Car reduced Kaawa-Aweau’s bail from $112,000 to $60,000 despite the prosecution’s objection and ordered Kaawa-Aweau to return to court for a preliminary hearing at 11 a.m. today.
According to police, officers responding to a 10:49 a.m. call of a domestic dispute on Kuapala Street were told by witnesses the woman confronted her 34-year-old boyfriend, identified in court documents as Patrick J. Abellera, outside the home.
According to court documents, Kaawa-Aweau damaged a door, entered the home, took a cellphone and/or cash and then fired a single shot from a handgun.
Kaawa-Aweau allegedly fled before police arrived, but officers reportedly found her about two hours later in a nearby macadamia nut orchard and took her into custody.
Police ask anyone who has information about this case to call the department’s nonemergency line at 935-3311 or contact Detective Brandon Mansur at 326-4646 ext. 301 or Brandon.Mansur@hawaiicounty.gov.
Those who prefer anonymity can call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300.
Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.