Police yesterday arrested a 19-year-old Kalihi man in connection with the beating death of a 54-year-old man in January.

Aitasi B. Legatasia, 19, of Ahiahi Place, was held yesterday afternoon in the investigation of the death of Damaso Domingo. He remained in the main police station's cellblock last night pending charges.

On Jan. 13, Domingo was found severely beaten and unresponsive near the intersection of North School Street and Lanakila Avenue at about 2 a.m. He was taken to The Queen's Medical Center in critical condition, He died two days later.

Domingo was beaten so badly that when he was treated at the hospital, the doctor — his daughter, Dr. Shirley Domingo — said she did not recognize him. Shirley Domingo, the attending physician in the Intensive Care Unit, said she realized that the victim was her father only after her brother called to let her know what had happened.

Police yesterday said they received a tip that led them to one of the suspects. At about 1:30 p.m. yesterday, Legatasia, who lives in the Puahala Homes public housing project, was arrested at the main police station on suspicion of second-degree murder.

No other arrest has been made in the case.

Witnesses told police that Domingo was attacked by two men after they had an exchange of words with Domingo on the sidewalk. After the assault, the two attackers were seen walking toward Puahala Homes, police said.

Police did not suspect that robbery was a motive in the beating and said Domingo had left his wallet at home.