Kaʻū News Briefs Sunday, July 22, 2018

David Ige at the Historic Hilo Bandstand in 2014, on the event of his election to the Hawai`i Governor's post. Candidates vying to represent Kaʻū in the state Senate, House, and County Council, as well as the Governor's race, will be at the bandstand from 5 p.m. on Primary Election Eve, Friday, Aug. 10. See story below. Photo by Julia Neal

THE ALLEGED KILLER OF A HAWAIʻI COUNTY POLICE OFFICER should not have been out on bail, says County Prosecutor Mitch Roth. Roth told news reporters this weekend that Justin Joshua Waiki shot and killed Officer Bronson Kaililoa last Tuesday during a Mountain View traffic stop while Waiki was out on $7,000 bail. He had been extradited to Hawaiʻi from Las Vegas on outstanding warrants. Waiki's record shows 37 arrests and 16 convictions.

County Prosecutor Mitch Roth said the police killer should not have been out on bail.

     Police shot and killed the 33-year old Waiki on Friday, near South Point, after he opened fire and shot another police officer during a traffic check designed to hunt him down. During the traffic check, police found Waiki hidden under a blanket, from which he emerged to open fire with a stolen .38 handgun. Sgt. Bryan Tina, a 12-year veteran Police Response Team sergeant, wearing a bullet proof vest, is recovering from chest and arm wounds. A woman inside the Toyota 4-Runner where Waiki was hiding suffered a bullet wound and broken thigh bone during the crossfire, and was taken to Hilo Hospital. Police arrested three companions in the car. On Sunday, all three were charged with hindering prosecution first degree, accomplice to attempted first degree murder, and accomplice to illegally carrying a revolver. If convicted, they could spend the rest of their lives in prison.
     They are: Hilo residents Jorge Allen Pagan-Torres, 35, and Malia Kaalaneo Lajala, 30; and Kamuela resident Krystle Lynn Ferreira, 29.

“Why is he out of jail is really a common question,” said Hawaiʻi Police Major Robert Wagner.

     Roth said the prosecuting attorney’s office argued against releasing Waiki into the community after he was flown back to Hawaiʻi. However, said Roth, the pressure of overcrowded jails and prisons is creating more leniency. He told KITV news, “We don’t have enough jail space, so every time we’re putting people in we’re kicking people out. What I’ve seen is the legislature has been trying to fix a lot of these problems by making crimes less serious by reducing bail. It’s problematic when people like him get out and can commit more crimes.”
     Police Major Robert Wagner told KITV news, “We don’t want people that are criminals to be out of jail at all, but we deal with it all the time. Why is he out of jail is really a common question that we have.”
     Roth said the prison system needs an upgrade, so those recommending and handing down sentences feel comfortable putting convicted criminals in Hawaiʻi’s jails for the appropriate amount of time. He noted that the Hilo jail was built for 200 but houses 400.
     Police are looking for leads on anyone who may have housed, transported, or otherwise protected Waiki during the manhunt. Contact Detective Jerome Manuel at 326-4645, ext. 262 or at Jerome.Manuel@hawaiicounty.gov.
     The public is invited to Memorial Services for Officer Bronson Kaliloa at Ballard Family Mortuary in Hilo on Saturday, Aug. 4. He is survived by a wife and three young children.

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The grand old Historic Hilo Bandstand draws Kaʻū residents and candidates to rally with speeches and food on Aug. 10. Photo by Julia Neal

THE HISTORIC DEMOCRATIC GRAND RALLY THAT ATTRACTS CANDIDATES FROM ACROSS THE STATE is on for Friday, Aug. 10, at 5 p.m. at the Hilo Bandstand. Candidates in the Democratic Party running for office to represent Kaʻū will be there, the night before the Primary Election. The tradition has revved up the bandstand on election years every since 1954, with food and speeches from the Democratic candidates. It is expected to draw candidates for the U.S. Congress, Hawaiʻi Governor, state Senate and House, and County Council.
     A statement from the Democratic Party says, “We have an extensive line-up, with over 30 candidates for public office giving speeches, and available to talk story and share pupus with their constituents.”
     “We provide access to this event without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, or disability. If you require reasonable modifications due to disability, please call Shannon Matson phone: (808)937-3037 at least ten working days prior to August 10th.”