Posted on: Tuesday, July 13, 2004

Eleven accused of harassing campers on Big Island

Advertiser Staff

HILO, Hawai'i — Police arrested 11 people at Makalawena Beach in North Kona last weekend for allegedly terrorizing campers and assaulting three people.

Police were called to the area shortly after 1:40 a.m. Saturday when campers reported vehicles were racing recklessly through the campsite, and that some campers had been assaulted. Officers stopped a number of people as they tried to leave in two vehicles, and reported that members of the group "were hostile and confrontational."

Campers identified the suspects and reported that three men had been attacked, suffering minor injuries. One vehicle was damaged and some items stolen from it, police said.

Six men were arrested along with a woman, three boys and a girl.

Henry P. Bell, 22, of Kailua, Kona, was charged with resisting arrest, unauthorized entry of a motor vehicle, theft, criminal property damage, five counts of assault, and two counts of terroristic threatening.

Jonathan Taetuna, 18, of Honaunau was charged with criminal property damage, terroristic threatening and four counts of assault. Rafael K. Rodrigues, 18, of Honaunau was charged with criminal property damage and two counts of assault. Shiloh K. Chenoweth, 20, of Hilo was charged with criminal property damage and two counts of assault.

Napualani S. Kamoku, 22, of Kailua was charged with hindering prosecution, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. James K. Hezekia, 18, of Holualoa was charged with theft; and Charles M. Kaupiko, 20, of Honaunau was arrested on an outstanding bench warrant.

Police also arrested a 15-year-old boy and two 17-year-old boys for curfew violations, and a 16-year-old girl for a curfew violation, obstruction of government operations and disorderly conduct.