HCCC Inmate Accused of Assaulting Adult Corrections Officer

A pretrial inmate at Hawaiʻi Community Correctional Center is facing new charges after the alleged assault of an adult corrections officer on Sunday, Feb. 20.

According to the Public Safety Department, the inmate, identified as 23-year-old Marly Poai, assaulted the officer in a housing module at HCCC at about 4:20 p.m.

“The ACO fell and lost consciousness for a short time,” DPS officials stated. “Medical staff were on the scene to immediately render aid while an ambulance was called to take the ACO to the hospital for evaluation and treatment. During this time the housing unit was secured.”

What instigated the assault or the officer’s current condition were unknown as of Monday afternoon.

Hawaiʻi police were called to the scene to investigate and arrest Poai. He is being charged with assault and could face other administrative and criminal charges once the investigations are complete.

Poai is currently awaiting trial on charges of first-degree robbery, first-degree assault, kidnapping, unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle, third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug, first-degree theft, second-degree reckless endangering, reckless driving, first-degree negligent injury, accident involving death/personal injury and probation violation.