Honoka’a man must serve a minimum term of 10 years in prison for domestic abuse

Following an Oct. 24 hearing, the Hawai‘i Paroling Authority set Adam Kahekili Kepoo’s minimum prison term at 10 years before being eligible parole for convictions involving kidnapping and assault of the woman he was dating.

Kepoo, 27, will not be eligible for release until April 22, 2031, according to Hawai’i County Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen.

Last December, Kepoo was sentenced to serve a 10-year prison term for seven felony  offenses, including kidnapping, first-degree terroristic threatening (with a knife), two counts of abusing a family/household member three counts of second-degree assault.

Kidnapping, the most serious offense, is a class B felony which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. All of Kepoo’s crimes were committed against a woman during their three-month dating relationship.  

On April 23, 2021, South Kohala patrol officers came upon two occupants of a vehicle parked near the exit gate at the Kawaihae Boat Harbor in Waimea. The adult female drive told them she had been involved in a domestic incident with the male passenger, Kepoo.

“Domestic abuse is a serious problem in our community and a top priority of our office,”  Waltjen said. “This prosecution reflects the commitment of our office and the Hawai‘i Police Department to hold offenders accountable for their actions and seek justice for victims and survivors of domestic abuse and violence.” 

Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Annaliese Wolf, who prosecuted the case, said: “Domestic violence is more than mere physical abuse; it is creating a cloud that follows the victim everywhere and convinces them that they will not be believed, nor can they leave.

“If there is any lesson to be imparted from this terrible case, it would be that if you see something, say something, and believe what you are being told. Victims need to know they can become survivors.” 

The case was initiated by Sgt. Thomas Chun-Ming, South Kohala Patrol, and the felony  investigation was handled by Det. Brandon Mansur, Area II Juvenile Aid Section of the Hawai‘i  Police Department.