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Police investigating Waikoloa homicide 03-24-04

HAWAII COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT
WEST HAWAII CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION SECTION
ACTING CAPTAIN ROBERT P. HICKCOX
PHONE: 326-4205
MARCH 24, 2004

MEDIA RELEASE

Big Island police are investigating a homicide that occurred Tuesday afternoon (March 23, 2004) at a Japanese restaurant in Waikoloa.

Responding to a 4:50 p.m. call, South Kohala police determined that the owner of the Hama Yu Japanese Restaurant at the Kings’ Shops in Waikoloa died after suffering multiple stab wounds.

The victim was identified as Yukichi Ito, 62, of a Waikoloa address. Police arrested a former employee, identified as Yasushi Kato, 28, also of a Waikoloa address.

Investigating West Hawaii Criminal Investigation Section detectives determined that Ito had terminated Kato on Monday. Kato returned to the restaurant on Tuesday, confronted Ito and got into a fight with him.

During the fight, Ito was stabbed several times and later died at the scene.

Police arrested Kato, took him to the Kona Community Hospital for treatment of lacerations and later took him to the Kona police station for questioning.

West Hawaii CIS detectives have initiated a homicide investigation and are holding the suspect in the Kona police cellblock for further questioning. They have also ordered an autopsy on Thursday to determine the exact cause of the victim’s death.

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