Prosecutors are seeking to hold a big-wave surfer from Keaau without bail for domestic abuse-related offenses that allegedly occurred between November 2024 and earlier this month.
A hearing is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Friday before Hilo Circuit Judge Peter Kubota regarding a motion by prosecutors to revoke bail for 46-year-old Kealiiwainue “Kealii” Mamala, who faces charges in both Hilo District and Circuit courts.
Mamala — who was invited to the 2025 Eddie Aikau Big Wave invitational and who competed in the 2023 Eddie — faces 25 charges, including unlawful imprisonment, three counts of second-degree assault, domestic abuse aggravated by strangulation, 14 counts of domestic abuse, two counts each of second-degree terroristic threatening and prohibited possession of a firearm, plus prohibited possession of ammunition.
According to court documents, the victim, a 34-year-old woman, was in a relationship with Mamala and he allegedly restrained, struck, kicked, head-butted, strangled and hit the woman with a garbage-can lid and an aluminum fishing pole holder. He also allegedly cut the woman’s hair without her permission.
Injuries suffered by the woman include a ruptured eardrum and broken nose, documents state.
When arrested, Mamala also allegedly had in his possession a Springfield Armory model 1903 rifle and a Snake Charmer .410 caliber pistol and ammunition.
The most serious offenses — first-degree unlawful imprisonment, second-degree assault and domestic abuse aggravated by strangulation — are all Class C felony offenses that carry a potential five-year prison sentence.
In an unrelated 2023 domestic abuse case involving Mamala, another woman was granted an order for protection by a Hilo Family Court judge.
Mamala remains in custody at Hawaii Community Correction Center on $116,020 bail on the 14 offenses charged in district court and without bail on the 11 offenses being heard in circuit court.
Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.