Puna man charged with 25 offenses in Hilo District and Circuit Courts

Kealiiwainue Mamala, 46, was charged with unlawful imprisonment, felony assault, abuse, and firearms offenses, according to Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen.

Malama is facing charges in both Hilo District and Circuit Courts that are related to incidents that occurred between November 2024 and March 2025. He is currently being held without bail in the Circuit Court matter and on $116,020 in the District Court matter.

A hearing on the prosecutors’ motion to hold Mamala without bail is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on Friday.

Mamala was charged through a complaint in District Court with 14 offenses that occurred
between February 24 and March 3 of this year, including:

• Felony abuse of family or household member (to cause bodily injury by impeding the normal breathing or circulation of blood by applying pressure on the throat or neck);
• Terroristic threatening in the second degree;
• Six counts of misdemeanor abuse;
• Two counts of assault in the second degree (to cause substantial bodily injury a ruptured eardrum and broken nose);
• Assault in the second degree (cause bodily injury with a dangerous instrument);
• Two counts of misdemeanor ownership or possession of a firearm prohibited (Springfield Armory, Model 1903 rifle and Snake Charmer .410 caliber pistol);
• Single count of misdemeanor ownership or possession of ammunition prohibited
  

Mamala was charged through information in Circuit Court with 11 offenses that occurred between November 2024 and January 2025, including:

• Unlawful imprisonment in the first degree (knowingly restrain another person under circumstances, which exposed the person to the risk of serious bodily injury)
• Terroristic threatening in the second degree
• Petty misdemeanor abuse,
• Eight counts of misdemeanor abuse.

The most serious offenses – unlawful Imprisonment in the first degree, assault in the second degree, and felony abuse – are Class C felony offenses and carry a penalty of either a 5-year prison term or 5 years of probation and up to 12 months in jail.

The charges are merely allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The felony investigation was led by Hawai‘i Police Department Detective Kelsey Kobayashi with Area I Juvenile Aide Section and the case is being prosecuted by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Kirsten Selvig.

The Office of the Prosecuting Attorney encourages those with information to assist local law enforcement to call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300.