Two more charged in cockfight beatings

Advertiser Staff

Honolulu police have charged two more men in connection with a fatal beating and another beating following a Kalihi cockfight Nov. 16.

Police said a cockfighting dispute spilled out of control and led to the beating of Eufracio Esmeralda, 41, and the death of Leon Fernandez, 39, at 686 Bannister St.

On Wednesday, police charged Branden Kakugawa, 30, and Don Cabinian, 28, with second-degree murder and second-degree attempted murder. Their bail was set at $500,000 each.

Earlier, police charged Evan Kakugawa, 33, and Jason Yoshimura, 34, with second-degree murder and second-degree attempted murder. Bail was set at $500,000 each. The Kakugawas are cousins, police said.

Police yesterday said they may make more arrests in the case.

Esmeralda and Fernandez were taken to The Queen's Medical Center in critical condition. Doctors pronounced Fernandez brain-dead on Nov. 17, and police reclassified the case a second-degree murder.

Esmeralda was last reported by police in guarded condition.

The Bannister Street house has long been the best-known cockfighting spot in Honolulu, according to police, but authorities said they cannot make any arrests related to cockfighting unless they see fights start or see the slashing knives on the birds' legs.