HAWAII COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT
OFFICE OF THE POLICE CHIEF
PHONE: 961-2244
SEPTEMBER 29, 2004

MEDIA RELEASE

County, state and federal law officers arrested 41 persons wanted on outstanding bench warrants during a three-day sweep in West Hawaii.

The sweep, named “Operation Pono Hawaii-Kona,” started Sunday (September 26, 2004) and ended Tuesday.

During the sweep officers served 71 outstanding bench warrants and made a total of 98 arrests — 25 for felony offenses and 73 for misdemeanor offenses against 41 individuals.

Hawaii County Police Chief Lawrence K. Mahuna said the sweep was similar to the one made during June and July in East Hawaii. During that operation, 98 persons were arrested for various offenses.

He said the most recent operation concentrated on federal, state and local felony fugitives who have been charged with drug offenses or who have criminal histories involving drugs or drug-related violence.

Taking part in the latest sweep were officers from the Hawaii County Police Department; the Hawaii County Prosecutor’s Office; the U.S. Marshal’s Office; the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement; the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration; the U.S. Attorney’s Office; the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the State Department of Public Safety’s Sheriff Division; and the Maui Police Department.

Commenting on the operation, Chief Mahuna said:

“As we promised during the last Operation Pono Hawaii, local, state and federal law enforcement agencies will continue to pool resources and work together to apprehend as many felony fugitives as we can find.

“This operation will have a major impact on reducing street crime and drug offenses. In the future, we will continue these effective operations to apprehend offenders and reduce crime on the Big Island.”

Arrested for felonies were:

• Star Aholelei, m-27, of Kailua-Kona, for promotion of dangerous drugs, promotion of detrimental drugs, illegal possession of drug paraphernalia and contempt of court.
• Jack Casuga, m-22, of Honaunau, for burglary.
• Shawn Dennison DeCosta, m-24, of Waimea, for three counts of second-degree theft.
• James Felder, m-34, of Kailua-Kona, for promotion of dangerous drugs, illegal possession of drug paraphernalia and one count of contempt of court.
• Davinette Lee Guerpo, f-26, of Waimea, for five counts of fraudulent use of a credit card.
• James Lindo, m-38, of no permanent address in Kona, for promotion of dangerous drugs, illegal possession of drug paraphernalia and two counts of contempt of court.
• Sipele Paogofie, m-38, of no permanent address in Kona, for two counts of promotion of dangerous drugs, one count of promotion of detrimental drugs, two counts of illegal possession of drug paraphernalia; one count of violation of parole; one count of contempt of court; one count of failure to have no-fault insurance; one count of having no vehicle weight tax; one count of having no safety inspection certificate; and one count of having no tail light on his vehicle.
• Scott Vasconcellos, m-39, of Waimea, for second-degree robbery, third-degree theft and two counts of contempt of court.
• Craig White, m-51, of Waimea, for first-degree reckless endangering, four counts of firearms offenses and number of plates for his vehicle.

Arrested for misdemeanor offenses, almost all of them for contempt of court or failure to appear in court, were:

• Andrew Akau, m-28, of a Mamalahoa Highway address in South Kohala, for contempt of court.
• Ted Baldado, m-36, of Captain Cook, for failure to appear on court.
• John Bueno, m-47, of no permanent address in Kona, for contempt of court.
• Larnell Chillingworth, f-27, of Honaunau, for two counts of contempt of court.
• Andrew Coito, m-54, of Honaunau, for contempt of court.
• Evelyn Cosit, f-37, of Waimea, for contempt of court.
• Benjamin Delos Santos, m-22, of no permanent address in South Kohala, for two counts of contempt of court.
• Chad Denis, m-26, of Naalehu, for contempt of court and failure to appear in court.
• David Gouveia, m-24, of no permanent address in Ka’u, for four counts of contempt of court.
• Gregory Shane Guillen, m-29, of Waimea, for failure to appear in court.
• Darlene Hashimoto, f-43, of no permanent address in Kona, for contempt of court.
• Roseline Hoapili, f-32, of Waikoloa, for a warrant from the First Circuit Court of Honolulu.
• Tavita Iona, m-43, of Waimea, for failure to appear in court.
• Randy Jester, m-38, of Kailua-Kona, for three counts of contempt of court.
• Rudolph Kaeo, m-28, of Kailua-Kona, for contempt of court.
• Valerie Kaeo, f-46, of Kailua-Kona, for failure to appear in court and two counts of contempt of court.
• Alton Dale Kaono, m-31, of Waimea of contempt of court.
• Nani-Jo Keanini, f-29, of Waikoloa, for two counts of contempt of court.
• James Enos Kepoo, m-41, of no permanent address in South Kohala, for two counts of contempt of court.
• James Key Jr., m-38, of Waimea, for three counts of contempt of court.
• Russell Kong, m-33, of Kawaihae, for abuse of a family member and contempt of court.
• David Kuahiwinui, m-25, of Kailua-Kona, for contempt of court.
• Brian Lehman, m-43, of no permanent address in Kona, for contempt of court.
• Eduardo Lopez Jr., m-20, of Waimea, for contempt of court.
• Manuel Lopez, m-57, of no permanent address in Kona, for two counts of contempt of court.
• Paulynn Pawai, f-36, of Waimea, for contempt of court and failure to appear in court.
• Rebecca Pelfrey, f-30, of Kailua Kona, for two counts of contempt of court.
• Jerry Rego Jr., m-38, of Waimea, for contempt of court.
• Myrtle Tukulamanutonga, f-43, of no permanent address in Kona, for contempt of court.
• Teaupa Uiki, m-34, of Kailua-Kona, for contempt of court.
• John Unger, m-51, of Milolii, for two counts of contempt of court.
• Trudy Ushiroda, f-52, of Honaunau, three counts of contempt of court and two counts of failure to appear in court.

# # #