Repeat Puna Offender Charged With Theft, Drug Possession

A 33-year-old Puna man has been charged with theft and drug offenses, the Hawai‘i prosecutor’s office stated in a news release Saturday.

The charges against Travis Kekaulike Canda-Tripp are in relation to the theft of a Toyota Tacoma that was originally reported stolen on March 7 from the parking lot of the Ho‘olulu Park Complex in Hilo.

Canda-Tripp is classified as a persistent offender with six prior felony convictions. He was charged with second-degree theft, first-degree unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle, two counts of habitual property crime, two counts of third-degree promoting a dangerous drug and and prohibited acts related to drug paraphernalia.

With the exception of the prohibited acts charge, the remaining charges are all class C felony offenses which carry a maximum penalty of five years in prison.

The news release stated that at the time of the alleged offenses, Canda-Tripp was out on bond for five other unrelated pending felony
matters.

Canda-Tripp is also scheduled to appear for sentencing in three of those cases on April 5 in Hilo Circuit Court. He will make his initial appearance on the recent charges on Monday in Hilo District Court.

He remains in custody in lieu of $60,000 bail.