Hilo man accused of kidnapping, sexually assaulting teen granted second mental examination

To allow for a second mental examination, a 3rd Circuit Court judge on Friday morning granted an eight-month continuance of the trial set for Duncan Mahi, who is charged with kidnapping and sexual assault of a teenager.

In April, the 52-year-old from Hilo was found fit to stand trial after being examined by three doctors. They determined he understood his charges and the court proceedings.

But at a hearing on Friday in Kona, Mahi’s attorney James Biven motioned for a second examination to specifically address his mental capacity to understand his responsibility for the kidnapping and assault that took place last year.

The motion was granted by 3rd Circuit Court Judge Wendy DeWeese. There was no opposition from the state.

Mahi, who remains in custody on $2 million bail, has been charged with two counts of kidnapping, three counts of terroristic threatening, first-degree robbery, two counts of methamphetamine trafficking and four counts of sexual assault.

Mahi is accused of robbing two teenagers at knifepoint at Anaehoʻomalu Bay in West Hawaiʻi on Sept. 16, 2022. According to court documents, Mahi forced the girl to tie up her teen boyfriend before he took her to his East Hawaiʻi home.

A MAILE AMBER Alert was issued for the girl. She escaped from Mahi nearly 24 hours later after convincing him to take her to get food at Café Pesto in Hilo.

Mahi was indicted by a Hilo grand jury on Sept. 21, 2022, for the charges.

On Friday, DeWeese ordered a hearing on the doctors reports from a second mental examination to take place on Sept. 27. The original trial was set for Aug. 22, 2023. The new trial date has been firm-set for April 23, 2024. DeWeese said it would take “an act of God” to change the date again.

DeWeese also granted the state’s motion to allow a statement that was made by Mahi to authorities the day he was taken into custody and awaiting transport to be used in trial. Mahi, who stood during the entire court hearing, didn’t contest that the statement was made voluntarily.

Biven didn’t oppose the state’s motion.