Hāmākua Coast Crime Report: December 2017

Hawai‘i Police Department’s Hāmākua Coast Community Police responded to six thefts, four assaults, four criminal property damage incidents and three drug-related incidents in the Hāmākua Coast District in December 2017.

There were no vehicle break-ins or thefts, burglaries or robberies reported in this time frame.

The complete list of locations and incident details are as follows:

6 THEFTS

1. At a business on Kihalani Homestead Road in Laupahoehoe, unknown suspects removed an iPhone without permission. Total estimated value of the iPhone and accessories is $815.
2. On Highway 19 near the 24 mile marker in Laupahoehoe, an unknown suspect siphoned 15 to 20 gallons of biodiesel gas from a tractor that was parked and unattended. Total estimated value of the gas removed is $80.
3. At a residence on Pikake Street in Honoka‘a, Akuni Ishii, 40, was arrested and charged for stealing avocados. Estimated retail value of the avocados $333.68.
4. At a business on Lehua Street in Honoka‘a, fishing nets were removed from the back of a pickup truck that was parked and unattended.
5. At a residence on Miulana Street in Honoka‘a, four checks were taken without permission.
6. At a residence on Old Māmalahoa Highway in Honoka‘a, an unknown suspect removed a wooden ladder from the fence line of the property without permission.

4 ASSAULTS

1. At an area on Puakalo Street in Honoka‘a, a 23-year-old woman reported waking up after being punched in the back of the head several times and kicked to the stomach by a 29-year-old man.
2. At a business off of Highway 19 near the 42 mile marker in Honoka‘a, Michael Varize, 29, was arrested and charged for Assault 2 after stabbing a 34-year-old man several times after being in a verbal dispute with in a truck. The victim was transported via ambulance to the hospital and treated for his injuries.
3. A connect up Assault 3 investigation was initiated after the victim above was punched during the incident.
4. At a residence on Pikonia Loop in Honoka‘a, a 48-year-old man reported being struck on the back of the head with a vacuum by his 26-year-old nephew, causing pain.

4 CRIMINAL PROPERTY DAMAGE INCIDENTS

1. At a business on Old Māmalahoa Highway in Ninole, unknown suspects drove onto the south entrance of the property and peeled out on the grass causing damage. Estimated value of the damage is unknown.
2. At a residence on Ka‘alau Street in Papa‘aloa, a 24-year-old woman reported that her 24-year-old ex-boyfriend kicked and punched her silver 2014 Honda Accord on the driver’s side quarter panel, causing damage. Estimated value of the damage is unknown.
3. At a pasture on Old Māmalahoa Highway in Honohina, unknown suspects cut the branch of an avocado tree, which fell onto and damaged a 40-foot area of hog wire fencing, causing damage. Estimated value of the damage to the fence is $1,000.
4. At a business on Ilima Street in Honoka‘a, a 58-year-old woman reported an unknown suspect keyed the back of her gray 2011 Toyota Tacoma pickup truck that was parked and unattended. Estimated value of the damage is $300.

3 DRUG-RELATED INCIDENTS

1. On Kihalani Homestead Road in Laupahoehoe, a 16-year-old male was seen throwing a container into the bushes of a restricted area. Said container was located and marijuana and a glass smoking pipe was within the container and officers called to recover items. Promotion of a Detrimental Drug and Drug Paraphernalia cases were initiated.
2. On Pakalana Street in Honoka‘a, a 15-year-old male was in possession of a glass smoking pipe with residue that tested positive for marijuana. Promotion of a Detrimental Drug and Drug Paraphernalia cases were initiated.
3. On Pakalana Street in Honoka‘a, a 17-year-old female admitted to being in possession of marijuana after being observed by staff to smell of marijuana coming out of a bathroom. Promotion of a Detrimental Drug case was initiated.

BURGLARY PREVENTION TIPS

• Lock your doors and windows when you leave home.
  When you are on vacation try not to post pictures on social media until you return home.
  Become familiar with your neighbors and their vehicles.
  Be aware of strangers walking or driving around in your neighborhood. Burglars may be checking to see if your house is unoccupied.
  Keep trees and bushes trimmed to they don’t provide cover for burglars.
  Install motion sensor lights.
  Install an alarm system and or surveillance cameras.
• Be vigilant, don’t give criminals an opportunity to commit crimes.

If you see suspicious persons and or activity, don’t hesitate to report it to the police.

Hāmākua Station
45-3400 Mamane St.
Honoka’a, HI
(808) 775-7533

Laupahoehoe Station
36-2283 Old Māmalahoa Highway
Laupahoehoe, HI
(808) 962-2120

Crime Stoppers
(808) 961-8300

Police Non-Emergency
(808) 935-3311

CALL 9-1-1 FOR EMERGENCIES

The Importance of Neighborhood Watches; Block Captains Wanted

A neighborhood watch is an organized group of civilians devoted to crime and vandalism prevention within the neighborhood. The goal of the neighborhood watch is to educate the residents of a community on security and safety to achieve safe and secure neighborhoods. When suspicious activity is suspected, members are encouraged to call and report this activity.

Why is there a need for this partnership? With a limited amount of officers working per shift and with the task of having to cover from Umauma to Lake Land, having neighborhood watches provides more eyes and ears in the community to report and prevent suspicious activity.

How do you start a neighborhood watch? There are Five Steps to start a Neighborhood Watch:

1. Recruit/organize as many neighbors as possible.
2. Contact your area Community Police Officer to schedule a meeting.
3. Discuss community concerns and develop an action plan.
4. Hold regular meetings and train members on relevant skills.
5. Implement a phone tree and take action.

Those interested in forming a neighborhood watch in your area should contact the community police officer for your area.

Hāmākua Coast Community Police are looking for those who are interested in being a block captain in the Laupahoehoe and Ahualoa Neighborhood Watch areas. Contact your area community police officer or Neighborhood Watch Coordinators.

Officer John KARI for the Honoka‘a Area, Honoka‘a Station (808) 775-7533

Officer Joseph ROCHA for the North Hilo Area, North Hilo Station (808) 962-2120

A nuclear attack preparedness guide can be found online at the HI-EMA website.