Man Charged in Connection With 2 November Incidents

A Big Island man with a prior felony conviction is facing drug and other charges in connection with two incidents in November.

Hawai‘i County Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen announced Thursday, Dec. 2, that 29 year-old Scotty Kawa‘auhau of Pāhala was charged in connection with operating a Toyota Tacoma without the owner’s consent on Nov. 5 and being a felon in possession of ammunition and methamphetamine on Nov. 30.

Kawa‘auhau, a repeat offender with a prior felony conviction for second-degree burglary, was charged with first-degree unauthorized control of a vehicle, second-degree resisting an order to stop, second-degree promotion of a dangerous drug, prohibited acts related to drug paraphernalia, prohibited ownership or possession of ammunition and place to keep ammunition.

Kawa‘auhau made his initial appearance Thursday in Kona District Court. He remains in custody in lieu of $72,250 bail.

The investigation was handled by Hawai‘i Police Department officers Sean Kepo‘o of the Kona Patrol, Robert Sakata with the South Kohala Patrol and Chandler Nacino of the Area II Vice Section. The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Annaliese Wolf.