Hawaiʻi Island police have arrested and charged a Kona man and a Hilo woman with an array of traffic, property crimes, and drug offenses stemming from an incident that occurred in Hōlualoa on Tuesday, August 24, 2021, at 1:30 a.m.
As Kona patrol officers were making area checks on Route 180 near Hōlualoa Elementary School, they contacted 35-year-old Kainoa Kahoalii, of Kona, and 42-year-old Amanda Evangelista, of Hilo, who were in a vehicle. After observing illegal narcotics inside the vehicle, the officers instructed Kahoalii to exit the car. Refusing to do so, Kahoalii drove off unexpectedly almost hitting one officer. He continued to disregard the officer’s orders to stop and subsequently struck two officer’s vehicles with his car.
Kahoalii then exited the vehicle and fled on foot. Following a short foot pursuit, Kahoalii was taken into custody. Evangelista was taken into custody without incident.
Detectives from Area II Vice Section and the Criminal Investigation Section continued the investigation. A search of Kahoalii’s vehicle resulted in the recovery of 87.9 grams of marijuana, a glass smoking pipe with residue, and various items used for the packaging and use of illegal narcotics.
A preliminary estimate of damages to the officers’ vehicles is in excess of $10,000 each.
After conducting interviews and conferring with the County Prosecutor’s Office, Kahoalii was charged with two counts of criminal property damage in the second degree, reckless endangering in the second degree, promoting a detrimental drug in the second degree, promoting a dangerous drug in the third degree, drug paraphernalia, resisting an order to stop, reckless driving, driving without a license, obedience to a police officer, and parking vehicle prohibited. His bail was set at $45,500. Kahoalii also had an outstanding bench warrant for $2,000.
Evangelista was charged with promoting a dangerous drug in the third degree and tampering with evidence. Her bail was set at $2,500. She also had an outstanding bench warrant for $400.
Kahoalii and Evangelista remain in police custody pending their initial court appearance Thursday, August 26, at Kona District Court.
