Pāhoa, Hawaiʻi – Raynard Kalani Chong, 26, of Keaʻau (Puna), has been indicted by a Hilo grand jury on charges related to the sexual assault of two minor females and promoting pornography for minors. The charges stem from incidents that allegedly occurred between December 2024 and June 2025 in the Puna District.
The investigation began on July 1, 2025, when South Hilo patrol officers responded to a report made at Hilo Benioff Medical Center. It was reported that Chong had sexual contact with the minors on multiple occasions, beginning in December 2024. The alleged incidents occurred at various locations, including Chong’s residence in the Hawaiian Paradise Park subdivision, specifically in the area of the 15-1700 block of 27th Avenue.
Detectives with the Area I Juvenile Aid Section continued the investigation and obtained search warrants for Chong’s residence, as well as a warrant for his arrest.
On Monday, July 21, 2025, Chong was arrested without incident at the Hilo Police Station on the strength of the arrest warrant. Following conferral with the Hawaiʻi County Prosecutor’s Office, Chong was initially charged the following day with:
- Two counts of first-degree sexual assault
- Two counts of promoting pornography for minors Bail was initially set at $540,000.
The case was then presented to a grand jury on Wednesday, July 23, 2025. The grand jury returned an indictment that included an additional, severe offense: Continuous Sexual Assault of a Minor Under the Age of Fourteen Years. As a result of this new charge, a grand jury warrant was issued, increasing Chong’s bail to $815,000.
As the Indictment alleges, Chong is now charged with:
- Continuous Sexual Assault of a Minor Under the Age of Fourteen Years
- Two counts of Sexual Assault in the First Degree
- Sexual Assault in the Third Degree
- Two counts of Promoting Pornography for Minors
The most serious offenses, Continuous Sexual Assault of a Minor Under the Age of Fourteen Years and Sexual Assault in the First Degree, are both classified as Class A felony offenses. These carry a potential penalty of a twenty-year prison term. Prosecutors have also provided notice of an intention to seek an extended prison term, indicating the severity of the alleged crimes.
Chong made his initial appearance in Hilo Circuit Court on July 24, 2025. His bail was maintained at $815,000.00, and he was ordered to appear for a further proceedings hearing on September 30, 2025.
The charges are merely allegations, and the Defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The case was initiated by Officer Ramaiah Ojeda of South Hilo Patrol. The felony investigation was led by Detective Paul Mangus, Area I Juvenile Aid Section, Hawaiʻi Police Department. Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Rebecca Lester is prosecuting the case.