South Kohala Man Arrested in Violent Altercation

A South Kohala man has been arrested in connection with an altercation that turned violent in Waikoloa on Sunday night.

The Hawai’i Police Department received a call at 8:19 p.m. that a man was assaulting two women in the parking lot of Waikoloa Highlands Center. Officers arrived on the scene to find that the participants had already left.

According to a HPD release, a witness reported that the man had a knife. The individual was identified as 34-year-old Aaron Nakamoto.

Nakamoto was located in his Waikoloa home, where he was discovered with facial injuries and a wound to his leg. Police called for an ambulance and he was taken to the North Hawai’i Community Hospital.

Two women were also located at the hospital.

Police determined than an argument in the parking lot turned into a physical fight.

One of the women, 22, suffered a laceration to her left arm and a wound to her chest. She was treated and released from the hospital that night.

Another 22-year-old woman suffered lacerations to her face, throat, and neck. She was treated for her injuries and released the next day.

Nakamota was treated for injuries and released from the hospital at 1:30 a.m. on Monday. He was then arrested on suspicion of first-degree assault and taken to the Kona police cellblock while detectives from Area II Criminal Investigations Section continued the investigation.

An assault investigation has also been initiated in connection with the injuries Nakamoto obtained.

Police ask individuals who may have witnessed the confrontation to call the Police Department’s non-emergency line at 935-3311, Detective Shawn Tingle at 326-4646, extension 277, or Detective Levon Stevens at 326-4646, extension 275. You can also contact the detectives by e-mailing [email protected] or [email protected].

Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call the Big Island Crime Stoppers number at 961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.