HAWAII COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT
KONA PATROL DIVISION
CAPTAIN JOHN E. DAWRS
PHONE: 326-4646
MARCH 24, 2004

MEDIA RELEASE

Police have initiated a coroner’s inquest in the death of a 48-year-old man Tuesday night (March 23, 2004) following a fight.

The victim was identified as Bryant K. Waahila, of a Kailua-Kona address.

Responding to a 9:23 p.m. call about a fight in progress near the Kim Chong Building on Alii Drive, Kona patrol officers found Waahila sitting on a rock wall.

After witnesses pointed him out as one of the parties involved in the fight and officers approached him, Waahila fell off the wall appearing to be unconscious. On failing to find a pulse, officers administered cardio-pulmonary resuscitation. Kailua Fire Rescue personnel then administered CPR and later took the man to the Kona Community Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 10:24 p.m.

While at the scene, police arrested a 44-year-old man after he was identified as the person who had been fighting with Waahila. The suspect was arrested for disorderly conduct and assault and is being held in the Kona police cellblock pending further investigation by West Hawaii Criminal Investigation Section detectives.

Police have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of Waahila’s death.

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