MEDIA RELEASE

Jason Keaulana Kala

At about 3:30 a.m., Saturday (September 24), a 24-year-old Paʻauilo man reported that shortly after 11 p.m. Friday, he was accosted by two men at the rear of a business on the 300 block of Kīlauea Avenue. The two suspects reportedly assaulted the victim and removed several items from him before fleeing the area. The victim sustained minor injuries during the assault but declined medical treatment.

Officers canvassing the area discovered video surveillance footage at a business establishment, and they observed two suspects fitting the description of the assailants.

At 5:10 p.m. Saturday, police arrested Jason Keaulana Kala, who has no permanent address, on suspicion of robbery. He was taken to the Hilo police cellblock while detectives from the Area I Criminal Investigations Section continued the investigation.

At 10:50 a.m. Sunday (September 25), after conferring with prosecutors, detectives charged Kala with second-degree robbery. His bail was set at $5,000. He remained at the cellblock until his initial court appearance on Monday (September 26).

Police ask anyone with any information about this case to call the Police Department’s non-emergency line at 935-3311 or contact Detective Todd Pataray at 961-2382 or todd.pataray@hawaiicounty.gov.

Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call the islandwide Crime Stoppers number at 961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. Crime Stoppers is a volunteer program run by ordinary citizens who want to keep their community safe. Crime Stoppers doesn’t record calls or subscribe to caller ID. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.