CRIME & SAFETY

This week in Hilo, Hawaii, several incidents occurred that require attention for the safety of the community. These incidents include a request for public help in identifying a suspect involved in an assault, a man sentenced to life in prison for the murders of two homeless men, a guilty verdict in a 2009 homicide case, and a man accused of striking victims with a machete and baseball bat.

This week in Pahoa, Hawaii, there were three incidents that impacted the safety of the community. These incidents included a man being arrested after threatening the police and causing an hours-long standoff, the evacuation of businesses due to a possible unexploded ordnance, and ongoing police activity in the Kalapana Black Sands subdivision.

PUNA, Hawaiʻi - The possible unexploded ordnance was discovered in the area of Kahakai Boulevard near the Woodland Center in Pāhoa. UPDATE – (5:15 p.m.) – Police say at “around 3:15 p.m., it was determined that what was initially reported as unexploded ordnance was in fact an inoperative novelty type grenade.” The roadway is now open and there is no threat to the public.

The County of Hawai’i honored Police Reserve Officer Theodore Hamada this week for his unprecedented 51 years of police service. Officer Hamada was appointed as a Police Cadet on Aug. 16, 1972. He became a sworn Police Officer on Nov. 16, 1973 where he worked on the Traffic Task Force in District 1 and then later in South Hilo Patrol until his Service Retirement on Dec. 31, 1998.

Hawai’i Island police charged 47-year-old Jameel Comier with firearms and drug offenses following a recent hours-long standoff at a Pahoa residence. After conferral with Hawai’i County Prosecutors Office, Area I Vice Section officers charged Comier with the following offenses:. two-counts of promoting a dangerous drug in the second-degree.

Hawaiʻi Island police are asking the public for assistance identifying an unknown male suspect who is wanted for questioning in a Hilo assault investigation that occurred on September 2, 2023,. HPD’s sketch artist drew a likeliness of the unknown suspect based on the recollection of a witness. He...

Sateki Nisa, 27, of Pāhoa, Hawai‘i Island, is currently being held on bail of $402,000 after being charged with the following:. Resisting an Order to Stop a Motor Vehicle in the Second Degree and Driving Without a License;. Theft in the First Degree, Unauthorized Control of a Propelled...

• There is a barricade situation in Pahoa, Hawaii, triggering a heavy police presence. • The Kalapana Black Sands subdivision is on lockdown. • Police vehicles, ambulance, and fire crews are on the scene.

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Hawaii (Island News) -- Big Island police arrested and charged a Mountain View man with multiple assault counts and attempted murder, after a violent encounter with two people at his residence. James Allen Wilson, 65, was charged with first-degree assault, two-counts second degree assault, second-degree attempted-murder after a...

PUNA, Hawaiʻi - Glenwood Park, located on Highway 11 in Mountain View, was closed by the County of Hawaiʻi in 2019. (BIVN) – Glenwood Park was reopened on Tuesday, November 28, following a closure over four years ago due to the theft of a 3,000-gallon water tank from the Mountain View facility. The water tank supplied the park restrooms.

PUNA, Hawaiʻi - Firefighters say they had trouble finding the two story dwelling, located off a "hidden trail" on Mikana Street. (BIVN) – A fire burned an empty home in the Eden Roc subdivision on Thursday night. The Hawaiʻi Fire Department reports the blaze occurred on the evening...

The recent incidents in Hilo, Hawaii include a successful warrant sweep resulting in the arrest of 18 wanted individuals with a total of 28 outstanding warrants. The offenses ranged from contempt of court to probation violation and failure to appear. Additionally, a 13-year-old girl named Justine Kawaa was reported as a runaway and considered an endangered missing child.

Hawai’i Island police are asking for the public’s assistance in locating 14-year-old Kennedy Stanley who is reported as a runaway. She was last seen on Ka’anini Street in Hilo today at around 7 a.m. She is described as Hawaiian, about 5’10” tall, 120 pounds, medium build, blonde...

During the week of November 13 through November 19, 2023, Hawaiʻi Island police arrested 16 motorists for driving under the influence of an intoxicant. Five of the drivers were involved in a traffic collision while one of the drivers was under the age of twenty-one. So far in 2023,...

The Kaua‘i Police Department has arrested a suspect in connection with a robbery and auto theft who was on the run for a week. Police arrested 27-year-old Sateki Nisa of Pāhoa, Hawai‘i Island, Tuesday morning. He is currently being held on bail totaling $114,000. He is being charged with first-degree robbery, Unauthorized Control of Propelled Vehicle, first-degree reckless endangering, two counts of credit card theft, unauthorized possession of personal confidential information and driving without a valid driver’s license.

30 year-old Kyle Pu‘u-Gustafson of Kurtistown and 27 year-old Candiace Balles of Pahoa were arrested and charged in relation to the theft and unauthorized entry into a Ford van which was originally reported stolen from the Outrigger Kona Resort and Spa parking lot on November 6. On Monday, Pu‘u-Gustafson,...

Almost 400 children, aged five to 17, showed their cowboy spirit at the Hawai’i Keiki Rodeo, which took place at the Pana‘ewa Equestrian Center on Nov. 18. This event was part of the preparations for the upcoming finals scheduled for April 13, 2024. It was organized by the Hawai’i Keiki Rodeo Association.

No injuries were reported after a structure fire in Mountain View burned to the ground late Thanksgiving Day. Hawai‘i Fire Department responded to the blaze, located on the 11-1000 block of Mikana Street at 9:56 p.m. Units were initially unable to locate the fire. Firefighters were told by the reporting party that the 30-foot-by-30-foot two-story family dwelling was down a hidden trail blocked by heavy vegetation.

Hawaiʻi Island police are searching for 38-year-old Daniel Martinsen who was last seen by family members at his residence located on 15th Avenue, in Kea’au on Wednesday. He is described as being 5’07” tall, weighing approximately 165 pounds, having a light complexion with short light brown hair, brown eyes, and having an unshaven beard and mustache. Martinsen often wears a t-shirt, shorts and slippers. He has a tribal band tattoo on his left upper bicep and he also has an “Irish Trinity” tattoo.

Nov. 22 update: Hawai’i Island police report that 11-year-old Kamaluhia Kauinui, who was previously reported as an endangered runaway, was located in Pahoa on Wednesday in good health. Original post: Hawai’i Island police are asking for the public’s for help in locating 11-year-old Kamaluhia Kauinui who was reported as...