Today, Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen announced that a Keaukaha woman, 19-year-old Ariana Kahalioumi-Santos, was charged with negligent injury, DUI, driving with a suspended license, and open container regarding a traffic collision that occurred on September 3rd at the intersection of Highway 11 and Kipimana Street.
As the Complaint alleges, Kahalioumi-Santos was charged with eight ( 8 ) offenses including Negligent Injury in the First Degree, Operating a Vehicle Under the Influence of an Intoxicant (OVUII) with one prior conviction within ten years, Consuming or Possessing Liquor While Operating a Vehicle, Driving After License Suspended for OVUII, Reckless Driving, Inattention to Driving, No No-Fault Insurance, and Promoting a Detrimental Drug in the Third Degree (marijuana). The most serious offense is Negligent Injury in the First Degree, which is a class C felony offense that carries a maximum penalty of five (5) years in prison.
Kahalioumi-Santos made her initial appearance today in Hilo District Court. Judge Jeffrey Hawk granted defense counsel’s request for supervised release over Prosecutors’ objections and ordered Kahalioumi-Santos to return to court to appear for her preliminary hearing on September 21st in Hilo District Court.
A review of court records indicates that at the time of the alleged offense, Kahalioumi-Santos was pending charges for another unrelated Operating a Vehicle Under the Influence of an Intoxicant incident that occurred in July 2020.
The investigation was handled by Officer Jonathan Rapoza, Puna Patrol, and members of the Area I Traffic Enforcement Unit, Hawai‘i Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Herbert Mukai.
The charges are merely allegations, and the Defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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 in East Hawai‘i or (808) 329-8181 in West Hawai‘i.
