Kona man with long rap sheet allegedly on recent crime spree, including assault

Hawai‘i Island police have charged 34-year-old Drosstain Pua, of Kona, with multiple offenses in incidents six months apart; and he also is a suspect in several other ongoing criminal investigations.

Pua, who also goes by the name “Hano,” was charged with multiple offenses related to an incident July 31, 2022, at a residence in Hawaiian Ocean View Estates subdivision in Ka‘ū.

A 38-year-old Ocean View man reported that Pua and another man unlawfully entered his residence in the 92-8800 block of Bamboo Lane and threatened the victim and his 70-year-old mother. While in the residence, a firearm was discharged, but no injuries were reported, police said.

There was an islandwide hunt to find him.

Pua, who is a convicted felon and thus prohibited from owning or using firearms, was charged with:

• first-degree burglary
• first-degree terroristic threatening
• first-degree reckless endangering
• ownership or possession prohibited
• carrying or use of a firearm in the commission of a separate felony

In 2008, when Pua was 21, he pled guilty to assaulting several Caucasian campers in January 2007 at Ho’okena Beach Park in what was alleged to have been a hate crime, according to media reports. He pled guilty to other felonies in 2010.

Pua’s charges keep racking up. Police also charged him with assault and property damage offenses for an incident on Jan. 18 involving four people in Ocean View.

At 12:30 p.m. on Jan. 18, 2023, Ka‘ū patrol officers responded to an unknown type of disturbance in the area of Walaka Drive and Bamboo Lane, also in Hawaiian Ocean View Estates.

Officers determined that minutes earlier a 35-year-old Ocean View woman saw a suspicious gold colored sedan in the area of Walaka Drive and Bamboo Lane. When the woman attempted to contact the vehicle’s driver, later identified as Pua, a verbal confrontation ensued between the two, during which Pua threw an object striking a nearby vehicle, causing minor damages.

When a 54-year-old Ocean View woman passing through the area stopped to intervene, Pua threw an object at her car as well, causing minor damage. Pua then physically assaulted the 54-year-old woman and also unlawfully removed personal items belonging to her.

A 56-year-old male acquaintance of the 54-year-old woman tried to intervene and was also physically assaulted by Pua, who struck the man with a metal object.

Officers attempted to take Pua into custody, but he resisted arrest. A bystander, a 51-year-old Ocean View man, attempted to assist the arresting officers, and subsequently sustained minor injuries allegedly inflicted by Pua.

Police took Pua into custody and he was booked at the Ka‘ū police station.  On Jan. 19, Pua was charged with:

• two counts fourth-degree criminal property damage
• two counts second-degree assault  
• one count second-degree robbery
• one count third-degree assault
• one count third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug
• one count resisting arrest

Pua’s bail was set at $170,000 and made his first court appearance on Jan. 20 in Kona District Court.

Pua also is a suspect in several other criminal investigations, police said.

Anyone who may have further information on any other incidents involving Pua is encouraged to contact Detective Donovan Kohara at 808-326-4646 ext. 267; or via email at [email protected]. They may also contact the police department’s non-emergency number at 808-935-3311.

Citizens who wish to remain anonymous can make an anonymous tip through Crime Stoppers at 808-961-8300 and be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. Crime Stoppers does not record any calls or subscribe to caller ID.