800 attend Big Island cockfight; four men charged with firearms, drug offenses

Four men were arrested for firearms offenses on March 4 while at a cockfight in Kealakekua, where drugs and illegal firearms were recovered, along with U.S. currency and two vehicles for forfeiture, according to Hawaiʻi Island police.

At 1:40 p.m. on Saturday, Hawaiʻi police officers and FBI agents executed a search warrant at a 500-acre property in Kealakekua, where an estimated 800 plus people were attending a cockfight.

Police recovered approximately 14 live chickens and chicken boxes, extensive cockfighting paraphernalia, four dead chickens, three unregistered loaded pistols, ammunition and a loaded .22 caliber long rifle from the premises.

Police also seized small amounts of cocaine and marijuana, $8,000 in US currency and two pickup trucks for forfeiture.

Officers arrested and charged:

• Chaddy Aukai, 23, of Ocean View, for one count each of place to keep a firearm and possession of a “ghost gun”. His bail was set at $4,000.

• James Medeiros, 32, of Kamuela, for third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug. His bail was set at $2,000.

• Kapono Hookahi, 31, of Kamuela, for place to keep a firearm and place to keep ammunition. His bail was set at $2,500.

• Eizan-James Medeiros, 21, of Kamuela, for two counts of place to keep a firearm and one count of possession of a “ghost gun”. His bail was set at $12,000.

All men posted bail and are scheduled for their initial court appearance in Kona District Court on April 6, 2023.

The investigation into this operation and its organizers is ongoing at this time. Police ask that anyone who has information about the event to please contact Detective Grad Elarionoff at 808-326-4646 ext. 312, or by email at Grad.Elarionoff@hawaiicounty.gov.

Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call the islandwide Crime Stoppers number at 808-961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.