Posted on: Saturday, May 8, 2004

Kahumoku will be tried by judge

By Rod Ohira
Advertiser Staff Writer

Lily Kahumoku, the former University of Hawai'i volleyball All-American, will be tried for misdemeanor assault on June 23, a day before her 23rd birthday.

On the advice of her attorney, Scott Collins, Kahumoku yesterday waived her right to a jury trial and will be tried by a state judge. After assessing the case, Collins said he felt a trial by judge was the "best route to take."

Kahumoku is accused of assaulting 20-year-old José José Delgado, a UH men's volleyball player, between 12:30 a.m. and 12:45 a.m. on April 9 at an apartment unit on Ala Moana.

When the alleged assault occurred, Collins said Kahumoku and Delgado were "boyfriend-girlfriend but not living together" and described the current status of the relationship as "on hold" because of the criminal case and that Kahumoku is living on the Mainland.

Collins said Kahumoku is not guilty and called the alleged assault "a misunderstanding."

Collins did not allow Kahumoku to comment on the criminal case outside of court yesterday, but she did talk about volleyball.

Kahumoku finished playing professional volleyball in Russia on March 18 and said her team, Samarodok, qualified for the championship round. The team was rewarded with a vacation in Hawai'i and arrived here on Thursday, Kahumoku said.

Kahumoku is playing on the beach volleyball tour with her half-sister Jessica Alvarado Brennan. She completed her college volleyball eligibility last season.

Reach Rod Ohira at 535-8181 or rohira@honoluluadvertiser.com.