Man Accused of Boarding Dive Boat, Punching Captain
A Kona man has been accused of boarding a commercial dive boat off Kona and punching its captain.
Police received a report just after noon Tuesday that an unknown man had boarded the vessel in waters off Kohanaiki Beach Park just north of Kailua-Kona while a dive tour was in progress.
The intruder argued with the 54-year-old male captain, assaulted him and then jumped off the boat.
An investigation led police to identify the suspect as Cheyenne James Gaspar of Kailua-Kona.
Big Island Now has learned that Gaspar may have been spearfishing prior to the assault.
Gaspar, 39, on Thursday turned himself in at the Kona police station where he was arrested and charged with third-degree assault.
Gaspar posted $1,000 bail and was released.