MEDIA RELEASE

Kawika Larinaga Napihaa

Big Island police have charged a 22- year-old Hilo man in connection with a burglary in Hilo last month.

At 12:30 p.m. Wednesday (July 18), after conferring with prosecutors, Kawika Kaiulani Larinaga-Napihaa was charged with one count of first-degree burglary and one count of second-degree theft. His bail was set at $35,000. He is being held at the Hilo police cellblock pending his initial court appearance scheduled for Thursday (July 19).

On June 6 at about 8 a.m., police responded to a call from a 64-year-old Hilo woman who reported that upon returning to her Kinoʻole Street home, she discovered a lone man inside. The suspect fled the house with more than $3,000 in property belonging to the victim.

Detectives from the Area I Criminal Investigations Section continue to review and analyze recent burglaries reported in the South Hilo and Puna districts for similarities.

Police ask that anyone with information about recent burglaries contact either Detective John Rodrigues Jr. by phone at 961-2384 or by email at jrodrigues@co.hawaii.hi.us or Detective Royce Serrao by phone at 961-8810 or by email at rpserrao@co.hawaii.hi.us.

Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona 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.

Police continue to ask for the public’s help in reporting suspicious activities, subjects, or vehicles in their neighborhoods by calling the non-emergency line at 935-3311. In the event that residents observe activities requiring immediate police response, they should instead call 911 and be prepared to provide police with the following information:

• Address or location of activity
• Descriptions and number of the suspects, including the color and type of clothing, caps, or footwear
• Descriptions of any vehicles present, including make, model, color, license plate, and any unusual characteristics—such as tinted windows, loud mufflers, damage to exterior—and a direction of travel if the vehicle leaves the scene

Police also continue to offer free home inspections. Appointments can be made by calling the Community Policing Section at 961-2350.