Puna man arrested, charged for assault at Honoli‘i Beach Park in Hilo

A Big Island man has been arrested and charged in connection with a large affray earlier this month at an East Hawai‘i beach.

Bronson Labra, 21, of Mountain View, turned himself in shortly after 8 a.m. Oct. 20 at the East Hawai‘i Detention Center in Hilo, where he was arrested on an arrest warrant connected to the incident that happened in the early morning hours of Oct. 14 at Honoli‘i Beach Park in Hilo.

Labra is charged with first-degree assault and two counts of second-degree assault. His bail was set at $100,000 and he remains in police custody pending his initial court appearance scheduled for Oct. 23 in Hilo District Court.

Hilo patrol officers responded to Hilo Medical Center shortly after 2 a.m. Oct. 14 for a report of a 20-year-old male victim who had visible injuries to his head and face.

Detectives with the Hawai‘i Police Department Area I Criminal Investigation Section determined the victim was struck in the head by Labra with an aluminum bat, causing the victim to become unconscious and fall to the ground.

Because of the serious nature of his head injuries, the victim was flown to the Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu for advanced treatment.

A second 20-year-old male who intervened to stop any further assault on the victim was also struck by Labra in the head with an aluminum bat, causing him to become unconscious and fall to the ground. Upon falling to the ground, the second victim was punched and kicked numerous times by multiple suspects.

That victim was taken to Hilo Medical Center for treatment several days after the incident and subsequently released.

A 17-year-old male suspect was also arrested and charged Friday with third-degree assault. After processing, he was released.

Anyone with information regarding this continuing investigation or might have witnessed the incident is encouraged to contact Detective Scotty Aloy at 808-961-2381 or email to scotty.aloy@hawaiicounty.gov.

Those who want to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 808-961-8300.