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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Monday, January 21, 2008

Two accused killers' bail set at $1 million each

Advertiser Staff

Two men charged in separate murder cases were being held yesterday at the main police station cellblock in lieu of $1 million bail each pending initial appearances tomorrow at District Court.

Alapeti Siuanu Tunoa Jr., 30, of Salt Lake was charged Friday with second-degree murder, criminal property damage, assault, and firearms-related offenses. Tunoa's parole was also revoked on Friday.

Tunoa is charged with beating 29-year-old Janel Tupuola to death with the butt of a shotgun Wednesday night on Maluniu Avenue in Kailua. Police have pieces broken from the weapon but have not recovered the shotgun.

The motive appears to be jealousy, police said.

Prosecutors also charged 23-year-old Matthew M. Higa of Punchbowl with second-degree murder for the death of 23-month-old Cyrus Belt, who was tossed over the Miller Street overpass onto the H-1 Freeway Thursday.

Police are awaiting lab results to determine if Higa was using drugs. Investigators are also trying to confirm how the child came to be with Higa.