Second man charged in relation to burglaries at Hilo businesses

Elika Akamai Nohoʻomakeaka Keiki Perry, 25, was arrested and charged in connection with a series of burglaries committed at businesses in Hilo.

According to police reports, Perry, of Hilo, is also facing charges related to two Feb. 19 burglaries—one at Prince Kūhiō Plaza, where a cash register was stolen from the Body Art kiosk, and another at Longs Drugs, where an ATM and safe were damaged and several keys were stolen.

Earlier this week, Haoli Kanawaliwali Santos was also charged in connection with the Prince Kūhiō Plaza and Longs Drugs incidents and was being held on $131,000 bail.

Over prosecutors’ objections, the court released Kanawaliwali Santos on supervised release on Monday. He was ordered to appear for a preliminary hearing on March 9.

On Thursday afternoon, Perry made his initial appearance in Hilo District Court. The court maintained his bail at $110,000 and ordered that he appear for a preliminary hearing on March 2.

As the complaint alleges, Perry is charged with two counts of burglary in the second degree, three counts of criminal property damage in the fourth degree, and single counts of:

• Criminal property damage in the second degree
• Theft in the second degree
• Theft in the third degree
• Theft in the fourth degree
• Possession of burglar tools
• Habitual property crime

The most serious charges, theft in the second degree, burglary in the second degree, criminal property damage in the second degree, and habitual property crime, are all Class C felony offenses and carry a maximum penalty of a five-year prison term.

Prosecutors have provided notice that if convicted as charged, Perry faces a mandatory prison term and will not be eligible for probation. The charges are merely allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Patrick Muñoz.