Hawai‘i Island Police arrested a woman and two men in connection with illegal cockfighting in the Hawaiian Paradise Park Subdivision.
On Saturday, May 18, 2024, at 2:40 p.m., members of the Hawai’i Police Department’s Area I Vice Section, assisted by members of the Criminal Investigation Section, Puna Patrol, and Homeland Security Task Force Officers, executed a search warrant on a residence on 18th Avenue in Keaau, where over 100 people were estimated in attendance at a cockfighting event.
During the search of the residence and property, police recovered 25 dead birds, 4 injured birds, cock fighting paraphernalia, to include gambling records, and a small amount of marijuana. Taskforce Officers from Homeland Security also seized approximately $20,000 in in US currency.
Officers arrested:
Lehualani K. Kaleiwahea, 49-years-old, of Hilo, for:
- Twenty-nine (29) counts of second-degree Cruelty to Animals
- One count of first-degree Promoting Gambling
- One count of first-degree Possession of Gambling Records
- One count of second-degree Promoting Gambling
Isaac Dylan H. Ragasa-Kaleiwahea, 28-years-old, of Keaau, for:
- Twenty-nine (29) counts of second-degree Cruelty to Animals
- One count of first-degree Promoting Gambling
- One count of first-degree Possession of Gambling Records
- One count of second-degree Promoting Gambling
Domonick Uchima, 37-years-old, of Keaau, for:
- One count of second-degree Promoting Gambling
All three parties were released pending further investigation.
The investigation into this operation and its organizers is ongoing at this time. Police ask that anyone who has information about the event to please contact Detective Scotty Aloy of the Area I Vice Section at (808) 961-2207 or by email at Scotty.Aloy@hawaiicounty.gov
The Hawai‘i Police Department is committed to working cooperatively with the community to improve the quality of life of island residents, and provide a safer environment for everyone. Police encourage residents to report suspicious and illegal activity to the police department’s non-emergency number at (808) 935-3311.
