DNA evidence links Washington State man to violent crimes in Hilo three years apart

A 37-year-old man from Washington State was taken into custody this week after DNA evidence connected him to two violent incidents that occurred in Hilo, an assault of a caretaker during a burglary in January and the death of a delivery truck driver three years ago, according to Hawaiʻi Island police.

Hiram Dale Keli‘i Kuilauwoho Kawelu, of Lynnwood, Wash., was arrested at 12:38 p.m. on Thursday after his flight arrived at Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport.

Kawelu is facing manslaughter charges following an early morning incident on Aug. 24, 2022. He was identified as one of two suspects who attempted to steal a delivery truck, resulting in the driver being hit and killed.

Allen Yune Lyau Kealoha, 62, of Pāhoa, stopped his commercial flatbed delivery truck to secure his cargo at approximately 6:20 a.m. on Puainako Street extension near mile marker 3.

According to police, another vehicle with two male occupants were seen by witnesses to be in the area at the same time. Kealoha was struck by his own vehicle when one of the men attempted to steal the vehicle.

Kealoha was transported to the Hilo hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. Autopsy results concluded that Kealoha died from blunt force trauma to the torso, consistent with being struck by a vehicle.

Kawelu is facing four charges in that case: manslaughter, first-degree theft, unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle, and collisions involving death or serious bodily injury.

Kawelu is being held without bail for these offenses. He is scheduled to make his initial court appearance for these charges Sept. 2 in Hilo District Court.

Kawelu also is facing several charges for his alleged involvement in a Jan. 29 case in which an elderly Hilo couple reported two armed masked men entered their Keaukaha residence demanding access to their safe. One of the men was reported to be armed with a firearm and the other with a ratchet breaker bar.

The suspects, one of whom was believed to be Kawlu, were confronted by the 37-year-old caretaker of the victims. While he was attempting to disarm the suspect with the firearm, the caretaker was threatened and stuck numerous times with the butt of the firearm to the head, face and back, according to police.

The suspects then left the residence.

The caretaker was transported to the Hilo Benioff Medical Center and treated for non-life-threatening injuries. The 76-year-old female and 71-year-old male victims were not physically injured.

On Friday, Kawelu was charged with a myriad of offenses in connection with the Jan. 29 incident. The charges are:

• First-degree robbery
• First-degree burglary
• First-degree terroristic threatening (two counts)
• Second-degree assault
• Ownership/possession firearm prohibited
• Fourth-degree theft
• Habitual property crime

Kawelu’s bail for these offenses was maintained at $251,000 during a court hearing on Friday. A preliminary hearing in the case is scheduled for Sept. 3.

During the course of these investigations, detectives with the Area I Criminal Investigation Division completed numerous follow-ups, interviews and had forensic laboratory work completed. Ultimately, DNA linked Kawelu to both crime scenes, police said.

Police request anyone who may have additional information relative to these investigations, to include the identity of other suspects in each case, to contact Det. David Poohina at 808-961-2385 or via email at David.Poohina@hawaiipolice.gov.

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