Today, Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen announced that a Kea’au couple, 50-year-old Curtis Wahelani Kahikina and 49-year-old Kanani Kaylene Kahikina, were indicted for firearms and commercial promotion of marijuana charges.
As the Indictment alleges, Curtis Wahelani Kahikina, who has six (6) prior felony convictions, was charged with nineteen (19) offenses including three (3) counts of Commercial Promotion of Marijuana in the First Degree, six (6) counts of Ownership or Possession of Firearm Prohibited, and a single count each of Commercial Promotion of Marijuana in the Second Degree, Attempted Commercial Promotion of Marijuana in the Second Degree, Promoting a Dangerous Drug in the Second Degree (methamphetamine), Attempted Promoting a Dangerous Drug in the First Degree (methamphetamine), Promoting a Dangerous Drug in the Third Degree (methamphetamine), Attempted Promoting a Harmful Drug in the First Degree (marijuana concentrate), Promoting a Harmful Drug in the Second Degree (marijuana concentrate), Manufacturing, Purchasing or Obtaining Firearm Parts to Assemble a Firearm Having No Serial Number, Possession of a Firearm with Intent to Facilitate the Commission of a Felony Drug Offense, and Ownership of Possession of Ammunition Prohibited.
As the Indictment alleges, Kanani Kahikina, was charged with nine (9) offenses including, three (3) counts of Commercial Promotion of Marijuana in the First Degree, and a single count each of Commercial Promotion of Marijuana in the Second Degree, Attempted Commercial Promotion of Marijuana in the Second Degree, Attempted Promoting a Harmful Drug in the First Degree (marijuana concentrate), Promoting a Harmful Drug in the Second Degree (marijuana concentrate), Manufacturing, Purchasing or Obtaining Firearm Parts to Assemble a Firearm Having No Serial Number, and Permit to Acquire.
On August 10, 2021, Curtis Kahikina appeared for return on his Indictment warrant. Judge Henry Nakamoto reduced his bail, over Prosecutors’ objections, from $595,000.00 to $250,000.00 and set the case for a jury trial on November 22, 2021.
On August 25, 2021, Kanani Kahikina appeared for return on her Indictment warrant. Judge Peter Kubota reduced her bail, over Prosecutors’ objections, from $136,000.00 to $39,000.00, and ordered her to appear for trial setting on September 1, 2021. Court records indicate that Kanani Kahikina previously posted $39,0000.00 for her original charges in District Court prior to the additional charges being presented before the Grand Jury.
The investigation was handled by the Area I Vice Section, Hawai‘i Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Elyssa Correia-Keltner.
The charges are merely allegations, and the Defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Anyone having information concerning illegal narcotics distribution and prohibited firearms should call the Hawai‘i Police Department Vice Section in East Hawai‘i at (808) 961-2258 or in West Hawai‘i at (808) 326-4646 Ext. 226, or Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300 in East Hawai‘i or (808) 329-8181 in West Hawai‘i.
