Full Notification

Hawaiʻi Police Department
Criminal Investigations Section, Area I
Lieutenant Gregory Esteban
Phone: 961-2252
Report No. C14003325
link to larger image John Kapahu


Media Release (update)

Hawaiʻi Island police have charged the 54-year-old Hilo man who was arrested Thursday (February 6) in connection with a reported robbery in Downtown Hilo on Wednesday (February 5).

At 5:05 p.m. Friday (February 7), detectives from the Area I Criminal Investigations Section charged John Michael Kapahu with second-degree robbery. His bail was set at $25,000. He was being held at the Hilo police cellblock pending his initial appearance scheduled for Monday (February 10).

At about 12:03 p.m. Wednesday, police responded to the Moʻoheau bus terminal after receiving a report of a fight. A 32-year-old Hakalau man reported that an acquaintance took an undisclosed amount of money from him while at Moʻoheau Bandstand. When the victim attempted to retrieve the money, the suspect reportedly punched him several times and fled the area.

The victim sustained facial injuries. Fire Department medics took him to Hilo Medical Center, where he was treated and later released.

Thursday morning, police arrested Kapahu, who has no permanent address, and held him at the police cellblock while detectives from the Area I Criminal Investigations Section continued the investigation.