Honokaʻa man arrested, charged in relation to the theft of a Jeep stolen last December

43-year-old Kole Race-Joaquin of Honokaʻa was arrested and charged in relation to the theft of a Jeep Gladiator reported stolen on Dec. 18, 2025.

On March 12, Puna patrol officers arrested Race-Joaquin and recovered the Jeep Gladiator, which was reported stolen while parked in front of a Pukana Street residence in Hilo.

On Monday afternoon, Race-Joaquin made his initial appearance in Hilo District Court and was ordered to appear for a preliminary hearing on Wednesday, March 18. His bail was set at $70,000.

Race-Joaquin is charged with theft in the first degree and unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle in the first degree.

Theft in the first degree is a Class B felony, which carries a maximum penalty of a 10-year prison term. If convicted as charged, Race-Joaquin faces a mandatory prison term and will not be eligible for probation.

The charges are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Prosecuting Attorneys Patrick Muñoz and Elyssa Correia Keltner.

Anyone with information that may assist local law enforcement should call Crime Stoppers at 808-961-8300.