HILO — Hawaii County police say nearly 20 students were arrested and two people injured following a series of violent incidents Wednesday on the Keaau High School campus.

Puna police responded to calls for help at the school at 10:11 a.m., 11:40 a.m. and 12:36 p.m. At least three brawls were reported, including a large melee during morning recess, plus two later fights, each involving two students. The second fight took place during lunch recess, while the final altercation was reported 16 minutes before the final bell, as Wednesdays are shortened instructional days.
Two people reported injuries — a 31-year-old male security guard who complained of pain and a 15-year-old boy who police say suffered a bloody nose and swollen lip in the first fracas. Sgt. Allan Watanabe said he did not know if either of the victims was taken to a physician or the emergency room for treatment.
Seventeen boys between the ages of 13 and 17 were arrested with 11 charged for assault, disorderly conduct, or both. Four were released without charges pending further investigation and another was released and will not be prosecuted, said Watanabe Sunday night. All were eventually released into the custody of parents and guardians, he said.
"This school is getting out of hand, and they're letting these kids come back to school after they're suspended, and this is after (injuring others)," said the mother of a 15-year-old Keaau sophomore whose son witnessed one of the altercations. "My son's friend lost teeth, broken nose, I mean, everything. It was major lockdown. They wouldn't let me go get my son, and I threw a fit: 'I want my son now!'"
The woman, who asked to remain anonymous to protect her son, said her son was not physically assaulted "in this particular incident" but was threatened verbally.
"I'm not gonna send him to school (today) 'cause word is out they're going to retaliate," she said.
The woman said her son had been assaulted in previous incidents at the school.
"He's gotten mobbed; he's gotten stabbed with pencils. It's just ridiculous," she said.
Her son said that his friend, another 15-year-old boy, was ganged up on Wednesday morning by a number of other students between the school gym and the cafeteria.
"Morning recess, had this bunch of kids come up to my friend and they started mobbing him and stuff, and a couple of kids went to help him and stuff," he said. "My friend had, like, bloody nose. He was all bus' up. One other guy come from the side, kick him. His teeth flew out and stuff."
The teenager said that his friend went to the school health office, but he didn't know if the injured boy required further medical attention.
"The school was all lockdown; could not find out what happened," he said.
Two school employees, who requested to remain anonymous, told the Tribune-Herald yesterday that an assembly had been called for 8:30 a.m. today at the school gym by principal Ron Jarvis.
"I've never seen anything like this," one employee said. "I don't know what they're gonna do."
Thursday was a professional development day at Keaau High, while Friday was a furlough day for teachers due to statewide budget cuts. Students did not report to campus either day.
The student and one employee said that a number of Cougar football players were among those arrested, although that could not be confirmed last night. The Cougars are coming off a bye weekend and did not play. They're scheduled to meet Hilo High Saturday evening at Wong Stadium.