Mountain View Man Faces Assault Charges After Allegedly Attacking 2 People

A Mountain View man is facing assault charges after reportedly attacking two people, including his girlfriend, last week.

The incident occurred Friday, June 11, at approximately 3:54 a.m. when Hawai’i Police Department’s Puna patrol officers responded to a report of an unknown disturbance at a residence on 19th Avenue in Kea’au.

When officers arrived on scene, they discovered a 52-year-old man with a cut to his hand. The reported victim told police the suspect, later identified as 36-year-old Cyrus Malani Tavui, broke into his home by cutting a window screen and allegedly attacked him with a knife.

The victim was treated at Hilo Medical Center and was later released.

That same day, Tavui was later located at a residence on Kapiolani Street in Hilo where authorities discovered a second victim, identified as his girlfriend, who told police she was being held against her will and threatened with a knife. Tavui was taken into custody at that time.

At approximately 4:45 a.m. on Friday, the woman was traveling in a car as a passenger with Tavui when he reportedly struck her in the face and chest, according to a probable cause statement filed in 3rd Circuit Court. In an attempt to get Tavui to stop the vehicle, the PC statement indicates the woman reports the suspect grabbed her throat and held her in a headlock causing restricted breathing.

Tavui was charged with first-degree burglary, two counts of second-degree assault, felony abuse of a family or household member, abuse of a family or household member, kidnapping, first-degree terroristic threatening, third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug, fourth-degree sexual assault and interfering with reporting and emergency or crime.

Tavui was in custody when he appeared in Hilo District Court for his initial appearance on Monday, June 14. District Court Judge Jeffrey Hawk maintained bail at $118,000 and Tavui is scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing this afternoon.