Big Island police investigating death of man involved in altercation and fight in downtown Hilo

A 34-year-old man who was involved in an altercation and a subsequent affray Tuesday evening in downtown Hilo is dead and Big Island police have opened a coroner’s inquest investigation.

Shortly after 5:40 p.m., Hilo patrol officers and Hawai‘i Fire Department personnel responded to a report of an unresponsive man fronting the Mo‘oheau Bus Terminal. The man was reportedly assaulted several minutes earlier.

Responding officers immediately began CPR until medics arrived and took over. The victim was subsequently transported by ambulance to the emergency room at Hilo Medical Center and was pronounced dead at 6:28 p.m.

Personnel with the Hawai‘i Police Department Area I Criminal Investigation Division also responded to the scene and the Hilo hospital to continue investigating.

Numerous witnesses at the scene reported that a short time before police arrived at the scene the man was involved in an altercation with a 34-year-old female acquaintance near the homeless encampment along the fence line separating the Mo‘oheau parking lot and Bayfront Highway.

Following the altercation, the victim was reportedly involved in a physical fight with several men. Following that fight, the victim reportedly retrieved some of his belongings from a tent and rode away on his skateboard to the front of the bus terminal, where he sat on a bench.

Shortly after, he was seen falling forward and hitting his head on the ground.

Police detectives are reviewing video surveillance from the area in hopes of identifying the men involved in the altercation with the victim.

An autopsy is scheduled for Friday morning to determine the exact cause of death.

The victim’s name is being withheld at this time pending positive identification and notification of next of kin.

Anyone who might have witnessed this incident or has information relative to this case is asked to contact Detective Kimo Keliipaakaua at 808-961-2375 or via email at kimo.keliipaakaua@hawaiicounty.gov. You can also call the police Department’s non-emergency line at 808-935-3311.