Honoka‘a Man Found Guilty as Charged After Filming Teen Girl Showering
A Kona jury found a Honoka‘a man guilty as charged for violation of privacy after filming a teenage girl taking a shower about four years ago.
The jury delivered the verdict after a three-day trial, which concluded Friday, Aug. 26. Prosecutors presented evidence of the incident, which occurred on June 12, 2018, that Koa Ka‘akimaka, 26, filmed the 15-year-old with his cellphone without her consent.
Ka‘akimaka was found guilty as charged on first-degree violation of privacy, a class C felony, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and also requires registering as a sex offender.
“I’m hopeful that this verdict will cause people to think twice before they victimize children,” said Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen. “We are happy with the result and thank the jury for their service. We hope that this verdict affords the victim and her family some sense of justice and sends a clear message to offenders that they will be held accountable for their actions.”
Ka‘akimaka was initially indicted for the crime in March 2021. The court ordered the 26-year-old to return on Oct. 17, 2022, for sentencing. He is currently on supervised release.