Suspect allegedly admitted to killing

By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer

The man accused of killing a former sumo wrestler Monday night walked up to a Kahalu'u home with a knife in his hand that night and told a woman that he had just stabbed a man, according to court documents released yesterday.

Kealiiokalani Meheula, 30, was charged yesterday with one count of second-degree murder and was being held in lieu of $150,000 bail. He is accused of stabbing to death childhood friend Percy Kipapa, 31, in a pickup truck on Okana Road in Kahalu'u.

The court document did not mention a motive for the killing, or whether the two men had gotten into an argument.

Meheula and Kipapa had dropped off Meheula's mother at an Okana Road address about 8:30 p.m. Monday and drove off in her husband's red GMC pickup truck, the affidavit said. About a half-hour later, Meheula's mother saw the truck parked outside the home and found Kipapa alone and slumped over the steering wheel, the document said.

Kipapa had suffered numerous stab wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene.

In a second affidavit, police said Meheula walked up to the home where he had earlier dropped off his mother and told a female resident "that he had stabbed Percy."

Meheula somehow made his way to an apartment on Pahia Road, which is several miles from Okana Road, and asked a man to use his phone, the affidavit said. Meheula had the man call Meheula's sister and he told her that he "needed help," the affidavit said.

Meheula then walked to the Kane'ohe fire station. Police officers were dispatched there because Meheula had what appeared to be a stab wound to his right thigh, the affidavit said. Meheula told police that he did not know what happened prior to arriving at the station, according to the affidavit.

Meheula was taken to Castle Medical Center for treatment. Police arrested him there about 7:45 a.m. Tuesday.

Reach Curtis Lum at culum@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8025.