Updated at 6:08 p.m., Thursday, January 3, 2002
Standoff in Waikiki ends peacefully
Advertiser Staff
A nearly eight-hour standoff at the Ohana Maile Sky Court between police and a man wanted on a felony warrant ended without violence this afternoon after he and his companion gave up. Honolulu police were attempting to arrest Braze K. Kapeliela, 31, who was sought on a felony contempt warrant with bail set at $30,000. He had failed to show up for sentencing on Dec. 28 in a stolen car case. Police said Kapeliela was holed up in a unit on the 23rd floor with an unidentified woman. Both refused to come out. Negotiations with the couple got underway by telephone. According to police, Kapeliela was making demands and issuing threats directed at third parties who police would not name. Police proceeded to close off Kuhio Avenue, a portion of Kalakaua Avenue, nearby sidestreets and other roadways leading into Waikiki. The closures caused heavy traffic backups in and out of the area. At least one lane of Kalakaua was reopened at about 1:30 p.m., while other roadways, including Kuhio Avenue and surrounding sidestreets, remained closed to traffic. At about 3:45 p.m., the couple walked out of the hotel room. They were arrested and taken to the HPD main station and the all roads were reopened.
Kapeliela was the subject of a CrimeStoppers item earlier this week when police sought him on the contempt warrant and for questioning in several felony cases. His last known address was in Windward O'ahu. According to an uncle, Kapeliela is an unemployed construction worker. .
