Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen announced that a Kona man, 29-year-old Daniel Watai-Simeona, has pleaded guilty to Manslaughter in connection to a December 3, 2021 incident that occurred on Henry Street in Kona.
On December 3, Kona officers responded to a call for a traffic accident involving a pedestrian. It was later determined that the incident was an assault.
The victim was identified as 64-year-old Menry Mendoza of Captain Cook.
It was reported that the victim stopped his vehicle on Henry Street to address an incident involving an animal, while outside of his vehicle, he was assaulted by an unknown male who was passing by that then left the area.
Mendoza’s injuries were so severe, that he was flown to the Queen’s Medical Center on Oahu where he later died from his injuries on Sunday, December 13.
Last week, Watai-Simeona appeared in Kona Circuit Court and entered a plea of “Guilty” to the offense of Manslaughter, a class A felony that carries a maximum penalty of twenty (20) years in prison. During the change of plea hearing, Watai-Simeona acknowledged that he recklessly caused the death of Menry Mendoza.
Watai-Simeona remains in custody in lieu of $250,000.00 bail pending his sentencing hearing scheduled for August 15, 2022.
The case was initiated by Kona Patrol. The felony investigation was handled by Detective Tyler Prokopec, Area II Criminal Investigation Section, Hawai‘i Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney.
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.