Suspect charged in brutal domestic abuse case

The woman was discovered unconscious and badly beaten just after 3 a.m. Saturday.
Published: Aug. 15, 2022 at 6:07 AM HST|Updated: Aug. 16, 2022 at 3:26 PM HST

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - Honolulu police are investigating a brutal case of domestic abuse on Oahu’s Leeward Coast that left a 51-year-old woman fighting for her life.

Oscar Kanoa has been charged with second-degree attempted murder. His bail is set at $2 million.

On Leihoku Street on Monday, detectives went door-to-door talking to neighbors, trying to piece together exactly what happened after the woman was discovered unconscious and badly beaten just after 3 a.m. Saturday.

According to police, the suspect showed up at the woman’s Waianae home a little after 9 p.m. Friday.

That’s when an argument between the two allegedly turned physical.

If you are experiencing domestic violence or know someone who is you can call the Domestic Violence Action Center Helpline at 808-531-3771. You can also go to domesticviolenceactioncenter.org.

Police sources say Kanoa had intimate relationship with the 51-year-old ― one with a documented history of violence. The day before the attack, records show officers responded to a domestic argument call.

Police were also dispatched to another incident earlier in the week.

Nanci Kreidman, who heads up the Domestic Violence Action Center, said the case underscores why “we must take every instance of assault, domestic assault and domestic violence seriously.”

She added, “We think it’s not going to get worse. This is a very important example that the crime got worse. The harm got much worse. So we can’t afford to let crimes continue to be committed and help not being provided.”

Kreidman added that friends and neighbors can also provide a lifeline.

“When a person knows about instances where domestic violence have occurred, ask them about it with an open heart, without judgement. Express your concerns and offer to be a guide to safety,” she said.

The woman remains hospitalized with life-threatening brain injuries.

Meanwhile, Kanoa is behind bars, awaiting charges. Police say he was arrested about 2 p.m. Sunday near a hiking trail on the other side of the island at Kahana Bay.

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