Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen announced that a Kona man, 23-year-old Jerome Kahoali’i-Heath, was sentenced to consecutive prison terms today in Kona Circuit Court. On December 31, 2020, Prosecutors charged Kahoali’i-Heath and co-defendant Ioane Asagra in relation to a brazen robbery at a South Kona home. Kahoali’i-Heath was also charged with the theft of a firearm and multiple vehicles following the robbery.
In August, Kahoali’i-Heath entered “No Contest” pleas to eleven (11) charges including seven (7) felony offenses, Accomplice to Robbery in the Second Degree, two counts of Unauthorized Control of Propelled Vehicle, Resisting an Order to Stop a Motor Vehicle in the First Degree, Terroristic Threatening in the First Degree, Ownership or Possession of Firearm Prohibited, and Theft in the First Degree. Kahoali’i-Heath also stipulated to revocation of his felony probation, where his prior convictions were for Unauthorized Control of Propelled Vehicle.
Today, after listening to arguments by the defense and prosecution, Judge Robert Kim sentenced Kahoali’i-Heath, to a ten (10) year prison term for the December 2020 incidents and five (5) year prison terms for revocation of his felony probation. Judge Kim ordered that the ten (10) year prison term be served consecutively to the five (5) year prison term. He also ordered that Kahoali’i-Heath serve a mandatory minimum of three (3) years in relation to the possession of a firearm in the commission of the Resisting an Order to Stop offense.
The investigation was handled by Detective Donovan Kohara, Area II Criminal Investigation Section, and Officer Chandler Nacino, South Kohala Community Policing Section, formerly of Area II Criminal Investigation Section, Hawai‘i Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Kate Perazich.
Asagra, whose trial is set for January 2022, would later post a $500,000.00 bond on April 30, 2021. On June 30, 2021, Judge Kim granted Prosecutors’ motion to deny Asagra bail in relation to a subsequent May 2021 unrelated murder in the second degree and firearms case and he was remanded in custody. That matter is set for trial in February 2022.
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.
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