Kaʻū News Briefs May 1, 2024

FRIENDS OF PUNALU'U have issued a presentation called Keep Kaʻū Kaʻū, Mālama Punalu'u, ahead of their sign waving events on Saturday, May 4, and the Windward Planning Commission public hearing this coming Monday, May 6 at 9 a.m. at the County Council Chambers in Hilo. The hearing concerns whether the Windward Planning Commission would issue a Special Management Area permit to allow Black Sand Beach, LLC's plan for development and renovation to go forward.

BLACK SAND BEACH, LLC has issued two presentations, one called Bringing Opportunities and the other called Doing What's Pono, ahead of the Windward Planning Commission public hearing this coming Monday, May 6 at 9 a.m. at the County Council Chambers in Hilo. The hearing concerns whether the Windward Planning Commission would issue a Special Management Area permit to allow Black Sand Beach's plan for development and renovation to go forward.



HAWAI'I ISLAND POLICE IDENTIFIED HUMAN REMAINS discovered April 23, on a property in Hawai’i Ocean View Estates, as 39-year-old Anthony Theodore Wagoner whose last known address was in Duluth, Minnesota.
    On Monday morning, April 29, an autopsy was performed and the forensic pathologist ruled that Wagoner’s death was caused by a single gunshot wound.The case has been reclassified as a murder investigation.
    Police ask for anyone who may have heard any gunshots in the area of Lotus Blossom Lane and Princess Kaiulani Blvd. during the first week of April or who may have information regarding this investigation to contact Detective Donovan Kohara at (808) 960-3118; or via email at donovan.kohara@hawaiicounty.gov.
    Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call the island-wide Crime Stoppers number at 961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.00. Crime Stoppers is a volunteer program run by ordinary citizens who want to keep their community safe. Crime Stoppers does not record calls or subscribe to any Caller ID service. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.

OCEAN VIEW RESIDENT BENJAMIN WINTHER WAS CHARGED WITH KIDNAPPING, ABUSE AND TERRORISTIC THREATENING on Wednesday. The arrest of the 50-year old Winthers on Tuesday and charges on Wednesday followed a violent incident. According to Hawai'i Island police, it occurred at a residence on King Kalakaua Lane in the Hawaii Ocean View Estates Subdivision on Monday.
HPD reported that on April 29 at approximately 4:35 p.m., Kau Patrol officers responded to the area of King Kalakaua Lane for a report of a female who had been assaulted by an acquaintance. Upon their arrival it was determined that the victim, a 27-year old Ocean View woman, had been bound with duct

Benjamin Winther is charged. Photo from HPD

tape and physically assaulted by Winther at a residence on King Kalakaua Lane where she and Winther were staying.
    The victim reported that after being bound with duct tape, Winther allowed her to free herself from the tape but continued to physically assault her and threatened to conduct lewd sexual acts on her. She reported that Winther used rope to tie the victim to a chair threatened her while physically assaulting her.
    Winther left the residence leaving the victim tied to the chair. The victim was able to free herself and leave the residence to summon help at a neighboring residence. The victim sustained non-life-threatening injuries and sought medical treatment on her own.
    On Tuesday, at 6:28 a.m., officers, at the scene waiting for Detectives to obtain a search warrant, observed Winther walking towards them. Police took him into custody while Detectives from the Area II Criminal Investigation Section and the Juvenile Aid Section continued the investigation.
    On Wednesday, a search warrant was executed upon the residence, resulting in the recovery of items believed to be used in the incident.
    On Wednesday at 3 p.m., after conferring with the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney, police charge Winther with one count each of kidnapping, abuse of a family/household member, assault in the third degree, and terroristic threatening in the first degree. His bail was set at $143,000
Winther is being held at the Kealakehe Police Station pending his initial court appearance in Kona District court on Thursday, May 2.
    Those with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact Detective Donovan Kohara at (808) 960-3118; or via email at donovan.kohara@hawaiicounty.gov. They may also contact the Hawai‘i Police Department’s non-emergency number at (808) 935-3311.
    Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call the island-wide Crime Stoppers number at 961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.00. Crime Stoppers is a volunteer program run by ordinary citizens who want to keep their community safe. Crime Stoppers does not record calls or subscribe to any Caller ID service. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.