Full Notification

Hawai’i Police Department
Area I Criminal Investigation Division
Captain Rio Amon-Wilkins
Phone: (808) 961-2251
Report No.: 24-062698

Media Release

Hawai‘i Island police have arrested 32-year-old Kukaua Keli’iho’oluhi Kaupe Bright, in connection with a robbery that occurred on Tuesday afternoon, July 9, 2024, in downtown Hilo.

Bright, who has no permanent address, was arrested on July 12, 2024, at 3:15 p.m., in downtown Hilo. 

On July 9, 2024, at approximately 2:55 p.m., South Hilo patrol officers responded to a reported assault on Ponahawai Street in Hilo, after two men reported being assaulted while working as survey contractors for the County of Hawai’i. The men reported that just prior to calling police, they were conducting a drone survey off of Ponahawai Street when several men began walking towards them.

The victims reported that the men seemed angry so they began loading their equipment into their vehicle in an attempt to leave and avoid a confrontation. As the victims were attempting to drive off, they were stopped by the men who questioned the victims as to what they were doing in the area.

After the victims informed the men of who they were and the job they were hired to do, two of the men began assaulting the victims while they were seated within their vehicle. The victims received injuries to their faces, with one victim sustaining a chipped tooth. One of the suspects reached into the vehicle and took a driver’s license and drone pilot license belonging to one of the victims. The two victims then drove off to avoid being further assaulted.

The Area I Criminal Investigation Section is continuing this investigation. As of this time, Bright has not been charged.

Police ask anyone who may have witnesses this incident or who may have information relative to this investigation to call Detective Jeremy Kubojiri of the Area I Criminal Investigation Section at (808) 961-2378, or via email at [email protected].