Man arrested for touching 14-year-old during flight from Hilo

A 49-year-old Naalehu man has been arrested for allegedly touching a 14-year-old girl Friday night on a flight bound for Honolulu from Hilo International Airport.

Shane Curry Bloking initially was arrested for fourth-degree sexual assault following the incident.

According t0 police, as the flight was taxiing on the runway, Bloking reportedly touched and squeezed the leg of girl, who was seated next to him, causing her to feel alarmed and unsafe. Bloking did not know the girl.

A passenger seated on the opposite side of the girl observed that she appeared emotionally traumatized by Bloking’s actions. The passenger alerted a flight attendant, which resulted in the plane being diverted back to the terminal gate, where Bloking was detained by airport police until officers arrived and took him into custody.

The 14-year-old victim had been in Hilo for several days for a function with other students and chaperones. After the plane returned to the terminal gate and Bloking was arrested, the flight was able to depart.

After conferring with the county prosecutor’s office, detectives on Saturday were advised to release Bloking for the sexual assault offense, because according to the state law, the elements for sexual assault had not been met by his actions. He was then arrested and charged for harassment.

The sexual assault case will be forwarded to the prosecutor’s office attorney for further review, police said.

Bloking was later released from police custody on the harassment charge after posting $100 bail, and his initial court appearance was scheduled for April 2 in Hilo District Court.