Bail Maintained for Hilo Man Accused of Assault, Kidnapping

A Hilo District Court judge maintained bail on a Hilo man accused of assault, kidnapping and various other offenses.

Thirty-six-year-old Curtis Nihipali appeared before District Court Judge Jeffrey Hawk Tuesday, June 14, via video from the Hilo police cellblock on charges of two counts of second-degree assault, kidnapping, first-degree reckless endangering, first-degree terroristic threatening, ownership or possession of firearm prohibited, ownership or possession of ammunition prohibited, carrying or use of a firearm in the commission of a separate felony, and third-degree promotion of a detrimental drug.

Charges stem from an incident that occurred on June 12 in the area of the Kapoho Kumukahi Lighthouse Road in Pahoa.

According to Hawaii police, Nihipali threatened a 43-year-old man while armed with a firearm, and intentionally discharged the firearm near the victim.

“Nihipali then forced the victim at gunpoint to a remote location near the initial scene, and physically assaulted the victim,” HPD stated in a release Tuesday. “The victim was then able to flee the area on foot and contact police.”

Searching the area, Puna patrol officers located Nihipali hiding in the vicinity and placed him under arrest. The victim was transported to the Hilo Medical Center for treatment for non-life threatening injuries and later released.

Nihipali, who has three prior felony convictions for second-degree robbery, was held on $191,000 bail. During Tuesday’s hearing, defense asked the court the 36-year-old be granted supervised release or a reduction in bail. According to court minutes, both motions were denied.

The most serious offense, carrying or use of a firearm in the commission of a separate felony, is a class A felony punishably by a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. The second most serious offenses, kidnapping and ownership or possession of firearm and ammunition prohibited, are both class B felony offenses punishable by a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.

Nihipali was ordered to appear in court on June 16 for a preliminary hearing.