Hilo man accused of forcibly raping woman

A 33-year-old Hilo man has been charged with forcibly raping a woman after she refused to have sex with him.

According to court documents filed by police, the adult victim told officers she was at Jacob Kahai’s Puueo Street apartment after 10:30 p.m. Saturday, and an argument ensued after she refused to have sex with Kahai.

The woman reported that Kahai, who was naked, shoved her from behind into his bedroom, pinned her onto his bed, removed her clothing and forced himself on her. The woman said she screamed numerous times to stop and get off her, according to police.

The victim also told police Kahai took her cellphone and refused to return it to her after she said she wanted to call her parents and 911.

At some point during the alleged incident, the woman managed to break free from Kahai, asked Kahai’s brother for help, and then left the apartment, according to police. She then went to the apartment next door and used a neighbor’s cellphone to call police.

The neighbor, a woman, told police she could hear the woman yelling and “loud knocking noises” from the next door apartment, according to police.

Kahai was arrested, and on Monday he was charged with first-degree sex assault and interfering with the report of an emergency or crime.

The Tribune-Herald doesn’t identify sex assault victims unless they choose to go public.

During Kahai’s initial court appearance on Tuesday, Hilo District Judge Jeffrey Hawk denied a defense request to free Kahai on court-supervised release without monetary bail. Hawk confirmed Kahai’s bail at $51,000 and ordered him to return to court today.

First-degree sex assault is a Class A felony that carries a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment upon conviction. According to court records, Kahai has no prior felony convictions and only traffic-related offenses in Hawaii.

He remains in custody at Hawaii Community Correctional Center.

Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.