Big Island man indicted on attempted murder charge pleads not guilty in Kona court, posts bail

A man from Hawī was indicted on second-degree attempted murder after reportedly assaulting a woman in two incidents that occurred in 2023 and again in 2024.

A Kona Grand Jury indicted William Tai Seu Wong, 66, on April 6 on additional charges of second-degree assault, first-degree terroristic threatening and two counts of abuse of a family household member.

The indictment follows an extensive investigation by the Hawai‘i Police Department’s Area II Juvenile Aid Section that stems from a report made on Dec. 9, 2024, by a 47-year-old female victim, who was in a dating relationship with Wong, according to a press release from the police department on Tuesday.

On April 8, Wong was arrested after the grand jury issued a bench warrant. On Monday, the 66-year-old appeared for his arraignment in Kona’s Third Circuit Court, where he entered a not guilty plea.

Third Circuit Court Judge Wendy DeWeese maintained Wong’s $100,000 bail, however, he did post bail and is out of jail with conditions, including not making contact, threatening, harming, alarming or harassing the complainant in this case.

A jury trial is scheduled for Aug. 4. However, the court will hear the state’s motion on June 15 to determine the voluntariness of the defendant’s statements.

According to police officials, the victim reported that she had been threatened, physically abused, and shot in the left arm/back area with a firearm allegedly used by Wong. The incidents were reported to have occurred at a North Kohala residence between April 26, 2023, and Nov. 8, 2024.

Police ask anyone with information regarding this investigation to contact Detective Carrie Akina at 808-326-4646, ext. 278 or via email at Carrie.Akina@hawaiipolice.gov.