#kelden waltjen

Hawai‘i County Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen expressed disappointment over the passage of three of the House bills that he says “will only further diminish the public’s trust in the criminal justice system.”

In February, seven people arrested on the Big Island and facing crimes that include abuse of a household member, possession of a firearm and sexual assault of a child all were granted reduced bail or supervised release.

The state bill that would make a second DUI offense with a blood-alcohol content more than 0.15% — and within 10 years of a driver’s first DUI conviction — a Class C felony.

Hawaiʻi County VICE-East officers recovered a black Radical Arms model RF-15 multi caliber rifle with a black cylindrical silencer and other weapons from Jason Coxʻ residence.

Officers recovered a loaded, semi-automatic 12 gauge shotgun with a defaced serial  number, a glass smoking pipe, and a clear zip type baggie containing what tested presumptive positive for meth.

Kimo K. Medeiros, 43 of Kurtistown, is facing 12 charges, including two counts of manslaughter.

Ammon Stanley was sentenced three years after he shot a man dead in Orchidland Estates and drove his car six miles away, setting it on fire with the victimʻs body inside.

Pāhoa and Honokaʻa High and Intermediate Schools created the latest “Drive with Aloha” murals on the Big Island to raise awareness about the dangers of impaired driving.

37-year-old Brandon Walser, from Oklahoma, has been extradited to Hawaiʻi Island to face multiple felony charges, including manslaughter and negligent homicide, following a tragic crash on February 26, 2024, that killed Marcella Tellez.

Noa Lolohea was arrested on Wednesday for the incident and made his initial appearance in Hilo District Court on Friday.

Benjamin Newman’s bail set at $43,000 and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for Sept. 8.

Douglas Louis of Pāhala faces drug and firearms charges after authorities in Hilo discovered over 1.8 pounds of methamphetamine, ghost guns, and various firearms in his possession on July 12.

New state measures involving dangerous dogs originally passed in 2024, partly due to the mauling death of a 71-year-old man who was just out for a walk on the Big Island.

Dominic Roberts was affiliated with a global online group that engaged in stalking, harassment and bullying of teenagers to “make digital content of a disturbing or repulsive manner.”

Joseph Williams is set to appear in a preliminary hearing at Hilo District Court on Wednesday.

Jason T. Law of Mountain View remains in custody, with his bail set at $900,000.

Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 14.

Chief Moszkowicz said the decision not to arrest the 57-year-old came down to investigators’ opinion that there was no sufficient evidence to prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, that Lauro intentionally and knowingly caused Ireland’s death.

Nathan Pedro of Pāhoa and Jackie Carter of Hilo made their initial appearances in Hilo District Court on Wednesday afternoon.

Between Feb. 23 and Feb. 25, the Hawai‘i Police Department conducted Operation Keiki Shield, a statewide coordinated effort designed to identify and arrest individuals using the internet to facilitate sexual crimes against children.