A 29-year-old Kona man pleaded guilty to manslaughter in connection to a Dec. 3 incident on Henry Street in Kona.
Daniel Watai-Simeona entered his plea in Kona Circuit Court last week to the class A felony, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.
During the change of plea hearing, Watai-Simeona acknowledged that he recklessly caused the death of Menry Mendoza, accordinig to a news release from prosecuting attorney Kelden Waltjen’s office.
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Watai-Simeona remains in custody in lieu of $250,000 bail pending his sentencing hearing scheduled for Aug. 15.
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