Police arrested and charged an 18-year-old Hilo man for assault and domestic abuse-related offenses following a Sunday morning incident on Holomua Street in Hilo.
Hilo Patrol officers responded to a reported traffic collision on Holomua Street that involved a reported domestic incident. Upon arrival, officers determined that the traffic collision stemmed from a domestic argument between John Kekoa Kaolelopono and a female victim. After the collision, Kaolelopono allegedly entered the victim’s vehicle and reportedly struck her with a closed fist and took several items, including her cellphone, to keep her from calling police.
Police say Kaolelopono left the area in his vehicle, but returned and pulled the victim from her vehicle, struck her in the head with a closed fist, then grabbed her head and struck it against the door frame of her vehicle.
The victim was taken to Hilo Benioff Medical Center for treatment of a substantial laceration to her head and a concussion. She was released several hours later.
Kaolelopono left before police arrived, but was arrested without incident a short time later on Awa Street in Hilo.
He was charged Monday night with: second-degree assault; three counts of domestic abuse; two counts of first-degree unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle; interfering with the report of an emergency or crime; and driving without a license.
During Kaolelopono’s initial court appearance Tuesday, Hilo District Judge Jeffrey Hawk maintained his bail at $9,750 and ordered Kaolelopono to return to court today for a preliminary hearing.
As of Wednesday, Kaolelopono remained in custody at Hawaii Community Correctional Center.