Six men charged following investigation into large fight at James Kealoha Beach Park in Hilo

Six East Hawai‘i men have been charged with various offenses, including assault and disorderly conduct, following a large fight that took place earlier this week at a Hilo beach park in what might have been a case of mistaken identity.

After responding at 6:46 p.m. June 12 to a report of criminal property damage at James Kealoha Beach Park, Big Island police officers contacted a 17-year-old male who reported he and two other male teens, a 16-year-old and a 17-year-old, were in a vehicle parked at the park when they were approached and assaulted by six males.

The victim was then struck multiple times by several suspects, with one suspect pulling a gold chain from his neck before leaving the area. Medics transported the 17-year-old victim to Hilo Medical Center, where he was treated for bruising, swelling to his eye and lacerations to his head, shoulder and an ear.

The two other juvenile victims did not seek medical care at the time of the incident; however, they were observed to be injured.

A 2015 Honda sedan in which the teens were sitting also sustained damages by the suspects, including a broken rear glass window, a flat tire and multiple vehicle dents.

Police are investigating whether this incident might have been the result of mistaken identity regarding a separate affray that occurred earlier June 12 at a nearby section of the park in which a juvenile female was assaulted and taken to Hilo Medical Center. That investigation is still ongoing.

After conferring with the Hawai‘i County prosecutor’s office the evening of June 14, detectives with the Hawai‘i Police Department’s Area I Criminal Investigation Section charged 45-year-old Lanakila Poaha of Hilo with second-degree robbery, second-degree theft, third-degree assault and disorderly conduct. His total bail is set at $38,000.

On the morning of June 15, after again conferring with the county prosecutor’s office, detectives charged the remaining five suspects each with multiple offenses:

• Cy Poaha, 21, of Hilo and the son of Lanakila Poaha, was charged with two counts of first-degree unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle, two counts of third-degree assault and disorderly conduct. His total bail was set at $25,000.
• Joshua Godbolt, 40, of Kurtistown was charged with two counts of first-degree unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle, two counts of third-degree assault and disorderly conduct. His total bail was also set at $25,000.
• Alize Godbolt, 18, of Kurtistown and the son of Joshua Godbolt, was charged with first-degree unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle, two counts of third-degree assault, first-degree criminal property damage and disorderly conduct. His total bail was set at $40,000.
• Justin Godbolt-Agustin, 24, of Kurtistown and also a son of Joshua Godbolt, was charged with first-degree unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle, third-degree assault and disorderly conduct. His total bail was set at $13,000.
• Micah Castro, 21, of Kea‘au was charged with first-degree unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle, third-degree assault and disorderly conduct. His total bail was also set at $13,000.

All six men remain in custody. Their initial court appearances are slated for June 16 in Hilo District Court.

Police are renewing their request for anyone with video evidence or information regarding this incident or the initial incident leading up to this affray to come forward and provide that information to Detective Jeremy Kubojiri of the East Hawai‘i Criminal Investigation Section. Kubojiri can be contacted at 808-961-2378 or via email at Jeremy.Kubojiri@hawaiicounty.gov.

Those who prefer to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 808-961-8300.