Hilo man faces several charges following domestic argument involving traffic crash

A Hilo man was charged with several offenses after he allegedly punched a woman and hit her head against the door frame of her vehicle following an early morning traffic crash during the weekend in Hilo that involved a domestic argument.

John Kekoa Kaolelopono, 18, was arrested and charged with:

• Second-degree assault.
• Three counts of abuse of a family household member.
• Two counts of first-degree unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle.
• Interference with reporting an emergency or crime.
• Driving without a license.

Kaolelopono made his initial court appearance Tuesday in Hilo District Court. The court denied his release, noting probable cause to keep him detained, and maintained his bail at $9,750.

He was ordered to appear May 16 for a preliminary hearing.

South Hilo patrol officers responded just before 1 a.m. Sunday to a reported traffic crash on Holomua Street that involved a reported domestic incident. When they arrived, officers determined the crash stemmed from a domestic argument between Kaolelopono and a female victim.

After the crash, Kaolelopono allegedly entered the victim’s vehicle and reportedly punched her before taking her cellphone and other personal items in order to keep her from calling police.

Kaolelopono then left the area in his vehicle, but returned and physically removed the victim from her vehicle, punched her in the head and grabbed her head and hit it against the door frame of her vehicle.

Kaolelopono left before police arrived, but was arrested without incident a short time later at an address on ʻAwa Street in Hilo.

The victim was transported to Hilo Medical Center for treatment of a substantial laceration to her head and concussion. She was released several hours later.

Anyone who might have information about this investigation is asked to contact Detective Clarence Acob at 808-961-8839 or via email at clarence.acob@hawaiicounty.gov.