Hawaiʻi Police Department
Kona Patrol
Lieutenant Calvin Delaries, Jr.
Phone: (808) 326-4646, ext. 253
Report No: 20-065923
Media Release
On Saturday (August 29) at approximately 5:00 pm, Kona Patrol Officers responded to Kahaluʻu Beach Park for a reported COVID-19 Emergency Proclamation Violation.
Upon arrival, officers observed approximately 30 individuals gathered within the large pavilion not wearing masks or social distancing.
During this time, officers began to educate the group on the most recent Emergency Proclamation and gave them an opportunity to adhere to the restrictions. However, not all complied which resulted in the arrest of five individuals.
They are identified as Gene Tamashiro, 53-years-old, of Hilo, Stefanie Nolff, 48-years-old, of Keaʻau, Diane Fischer, 65-years-old, of Kailua-Kona, Melody Harris, 60-years-old, of Kailua-Kona, and Michaele Ann Medearis 53-years-old, of Holualoa.
Each of them were charged with three counts of Emergency Proclamation and one count of Failure to Disperse. Bail for each was set at $6,500.00. Nolff, Fischer, Harris, and Medearis posted bail. Tamashiro remains in police custody pending his initial court appearance.
