Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen announced that a Hilo man, 46-year-old Clifton John Kua, will serve eighteen (18) years in prison, out of his twenty (20) year term, before being eligible for parole. The Hawai‘i Paroling Authority set Kua’s minimum term at eighteen (18) years following an April hearing.
Last December, Kua was sentenced to serve a twenty (20) year prison term for his crimes, Continuous Sexual Assault of a Minor Under the Age of Fourteen Years and Sexual Assault in the First Degree. In October of 2021, during his change of plea hearing, Kua agreed that between 2011 and 2017, he knowingly subjected a minor, who at the time was under the age of 14, to more than three separate acts of sexual penetration or contact in a continuing course of conduct while they were living in the same home. Kua also agreed that in October of 2017, he knowingly subjected the same minor, who was 14 years old at the time, to sexual penetration. Both Continuous Sexual Assault and Sexual Assault in the First Degree are class A felonies, which carry a maximum penalty of twenty (20) years in prison.
The lead investigator for the case was Detective Gavin Kagimoto, Area I Juvenile Aid Section, Hawai‘i Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Sylvia Wan.
“We hope that this serves as a message that protecting our Keiki from sexual predators is a top priority of our Office,” said Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen. “This prosecution reflects the commitment of our Office and the Hawai‘i Police Department to hold offenders accountable for their actions and seek justice for these egregious offenses.”
The Office of the Prosecuting Attorney remains dedicated to the pursuit of justice with integrity and commitment. Anyone having information to assist local law enforcement should call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300.