Hilo Man Faces Firearms, Ammunition Charges

A Big Island man with prior felony convictions now faces several charges following the execution of a search warrant last week.

According to a news release from the county prosecuting attorney’s office, 60-year-old Duane Ho‘ohuli of Hilo was charged as being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition following the execution of a search warrant by members of the Hawai’i Police Department’s Area I Vice Section on April 8 at a property on East Palai Street in Hilo.

As the complaint alleges, Ho‘ohuli, a repeat offender with prior felony convictions for place to keep loaded firearms other than pistols and revolvers, ownership or possession prohibited and second-degree promoting a dangerous drug, was charged with two counts of ownership or possession of firearm prohibited and two counts of ownership or possession of ammunition prohibited.

If convicted, Ho‘ohuli faces sentencing to a mandatory prison term based on his prior felony convictions.

Ho‘ohuli was scheduled to make his initial appearance Monday, April 11, in Hilo District Court. He remained in custody in lieu of $100,000 bail as of Monday morning.

The investigation was handled by members of the Area I Vice Section and the case is being prosecuted by county Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Elyssa Correia Keltner.