Hawai‘i Island police had arrested and charged 22-year-old Hunta Shaylo Wai‘oli Santos, of Hilo, with multiple counts of abuse of a family household member following a domestic dispute in Hilo on Friday morning, August 16, 2024.

Just before 10:00 a.m. on Friday morning, Hilo patrol officers responded to the Wainaku Scenic Point lookout off Highway 19, just north of downtown Hilo, after a female victim reported she had been physically abused by her boyfriend.

The victim told arriving officers that she was struck by Santos in two different locations within a parking lot of a retail shopping center in the 2100 block of Kanoelehua Avenue in Hilo. The pair then left the shopping center with Santos driving the victim’s vehicle towards the Wainaku area while he continued to physical abuse the woman within the vehicle. When they were in the area of Wainaku Street and Halaulani Place, Santos reportedly stopped the vehicle, got out of the driver’s seat, and from the passenger’s side of the vehicle struck the victim again, which prompted several passing motorists to call 911. Santos then drove them to his residence in Pāpa‘ikou and when he got out of the vehicle, the victim drove away from the area and called police. 

During the course of this incident, the victim reported that she was struck with closed fist punches, her hair was pulled, and her breathing was restricted when Santos grabbed her neck and choked her. 

Medics responded to the scenic point lookout; however, the victim elected to transport herself to the Hilo Benioff Medical Center, where she was treated and later released.

On Saturday afternoon, August 17, 2024, after conferring with the County Prosecutor’s Office, detectives from the Area I Juvenile Aid Section charged Santos with the following:

• Felony abuse of a family household member (due to strangulation)
• Four counts of abuse of a family household member against a spouse/partner

His bail was set at $18,000.

Santos’ initial court appearance is scheduled for Monday afternoon, August 19, in Hilo Family Court.

Police ask anyone who may have witnessed the incidents to please contact Detective Kevi