Honoka‘a Man Pleads No Contest to Several Domestic Abuse-Related Offenses

A Honoka‘a pleaded no contest for a series of domestic abuse incidents that occurred between Feb. 1 and April 23, 2021.

On Wednesday, Oct. 13, 27-year-old Adam Kahekili Kepo‘o changed his plea in 3rd Circuit Court before Judge Wendy DeWeese, who ordered him to return to court on Dec. 17 for sentencing.

Kepo‘o remains in custody in lieu of $300,500 bail.

Kepo‘o pleaded no contest to seven offenses, which include three counts of second-degree assault, two counts of felony abuse of a family or household member, terroristic threatening and kidnapping.

Kidnapping, the most serious offense, is a class B felony punishable by a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. County prosecutors are seeking the maximum penalty during sentencing.

The 27-year-old was initially indicted in May on 27 counts of various offenses related to the physical assault of a household member on multiple occasions at different locations around the island.

According to the indictment, Kepo‘o strangled the victim on multiple occasions. Court documents also state that the Honoka‘a man threatened the victim with a knife and restrained the individual with the intent to inflict bodily injury.