34-year-old Drosstain Pua, of Kona, has been charged with assault and property damage offenses after an incident involving four people in Ocean View on Wednesday, January 18. He was also charged with multiple offenses related to an incident last July in Ka‘ū and is a suspect in several other ongoing criminal investigations.
At 12:30 p.m. on January 18, 2023, Ka‘ū patrol officers responded to an unknown type of disturbance in the area of Walaka Drive and Bamboo Lane in the Hawaiian Ocean View Estates (HOVE) subdivision. Upon arriving on scene, officers determined that minutes earlier a 35-year-old Ocean View woman had observed a suspicious gold colored sedan in the area of Walaka Drive and Bamboo Lane. When the woman attempted to contact the vehicle driver, later identified as Pua, a verbal confrontation ensued between the two, during which Pua threw an object striking a nearby vehicle, causing minor damages.
When a 54-year-old Ocean View woman passing through the area stopped to intervene, Pua threw an object at her car as well, causing minor damage. Pua then physically assaulted the 54-year-old woman and also unlawfully removed personal items belonging to her.
A 56-year-old male acquaintance of the 54-year-old woman tried to intervene and was also physically assaulted by Pua, who struck the man with a metal object.
After arriving on scene and learning the nature of the incident, officers attempted to take Pua into custody, however he resisted arrest. A bystander, a 51-year-old Ocean View man, attempted to assist the arresting officers, and subsequently sustained minor injuries allegedly inflicted by Pua. Police were able to take Pua into custody and he was booked at the Ka‘ū police station while detectives from the Area II Criminal Investigation Section continued their investigation.
On Thursday, January 19, after conferring with the County Prosecutors Office, Pua was charged with:
- two counts fourth-degree criminal property damage
- two counts second-degree assault
- one count second-degree robbery
- one count third-degree assault
- one count third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug
- one count resisting arrest
Pua was also charged with offenses stemming from an incident that occurred on July 31, 2022, (Report No. 22-066523), at a residence in HOVE in which a firearm was discharged. In that incident, a 38-year-old Ocean View man reported that Pua and another man unlawfully entered his residence in the 92-8800 block of Bamboo Lane and threatened the victim and his 70-year-old mother. While in the residence, a firearm was discharged, however, no injuries were reported.
After conferring with the County Prosecutors Office on January 19, 2023, about the July 2022 incident, Pua who is a convicted felon and thus prohibited from owning or using firearms, was also charged with:
- first-degree burglary
- first-degree terroristic threatening
- first-degree reckless endangering
- ownership or possession prohibited
- carrying or use of a firearm in the commission of a separate felony
Pua’s bail was set at $170,000 and made his first court appearance on Friday, January 20, 2023, in Kona District Court.
Pua is also a suspect in several other criminal investigations. These investigations will be forwarded to, and reviewed by, the County Prosecutors Office for charging determination at a later date.
Anyone who may have further information on any other incidents involving Pua is encouraged to contact Detective Donovan Kohara at (808) 326-4646 ext. 267; or via email at donovan.kohara@hawaiicounty.gov. They may also contact the police department’s non-emergency number at (808) 935-3311.
Citizens who wish to remain anonymous can make an anonymous tip through Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300 and be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. Crime Stoppers does not record any calls or subscribe to caller ID.
