Police have arrested six East Hawaii men as part of an ongoing investigation into a large affray that took place Monday at Kealoha Beach Park (known locally as “Four Mile”) in Hilo.
Responding to a report of criminal property damage at 6:46 p.m. on Monday, police contacted a 17-year-old male who reported that he and two other male teens, a 16-year-old and a 17-year-old, were in a vehicle parked at the beach park, when they were approached and assaulted by six males.
The 17-year-old victim who reported the incident told police that one of the male suspects opened the door where he was seated and pulled the victim out of the vehicle by his legs and onto the ground.
The victim was then allegedly struck multiple times by several suspects, with one of the suspects pulling a gold chain from the teen’s neck before leaving the area.
Hawaii Fire Department medics arrived on scene and transported the 17-year-old victim to Hilo Medical Center where he was treated for bruising, swelling to his eye, lacerations to his head, shoulder and an ear. The two other juvenile victims did not seek medical care at the time of this incident. However, they were observed to be injured.
The vehicle the teens were sitting in, a 2015 Honda sedan, sustained damages by the suspects, including a broken rear glass window, a flat tire, and multiple vehicle dents, police said.
Police determined that 45-year-old Lanakila Poaha of Hilo was a suspect in the incident. He was located by police and arrested Monday evening at his Hilo residence.
Police later identified five additional suspects, including two sets of fathers and sons, who allegedly were involved in this incident and arrested them for unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle, which is considered a felony offense.
The arrested suspects include Cy Poaha, age 21, of Hilo, (son of Lanakila Poaha); Joshua Godbolt, 40, of Kurtistown; Alize Godbolt, 18, of Kurtistown (son of Joshua Godbolt); Justin Godbolt-Agustin, 24, of Kurtistown (son of Joshua Godbolt); and Micah Castro, 21, of Keaau.
All six men remained in police custody Wednesday as police continue their investigation.
The offenses include entering into a vehicle to commit a crime against person or property rights, assault, criminal property damage, and robbery for taking the necklace by force, police said.
“Incidents like this are not what our island is about. It is a public safety issue when members of the public cannot enjoy a weekend at a beach park,” said Lt. Zachary Fernando of HPD’s Area I Criminal Investigation Section. “Hawaii Island police will do everything they can to maintain public safety and a secure environment by enforcing the law and bringing justice to victims. This kind of behavior is just unacceptable.”
Noting that videos of this incident surfaced on social media, police are asking anyone who has video evidence or information regarding this incident to please come forward and provide that information to Detective Jeremy Kubojiri of the East Hawaii Criminal Investigation Section at (808) 961-2378, or via email at Jeremy.Kubojiri@hawaiicounty.gov.
Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. Crime Stoppers is a volunteer program run by ordinary citizens who want to keep their community safe. Crime Stoppers doesn’t record calls or subscribe to caller ID.