A Kona man was arrested Wednesday afternoon for disorderly conduct, intoxication on State unencumbered land and violation of emergency rules and orders.

A citizen reported a large gathering of people and cars at Alula Beach (near Honokohau Small Boat Harbor) to the Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) early Wednesday afternoon. DOCARE officers responded to the beach and observed numerous people engaging in unpermitted activities as outlined in the State’s current emergency rules.

They contacted 24-year-old Dillon Kroll of Kailua-Kona and report the man immediately became agitated and combative, cussed at the officers, and was so angry other people on the beach became alarmed.

Officers allege Kroll refused to follow them to their vehicles to prepare a citation and continued debating with them while yelling and swearing.  They also report the man’s mother then had a verbal dispute with another woman who was objecting to Kroll’s behavior toward the DOCARE officers. Others reportedly grabbed their children and headed to their cars apparently due to the man’s unruly behavior.

Kroll was arrested for disorderly conduct, intoxication on State unencumbered land and violation of emergency rules and orders. He was booked at the Kona Police station and then released on his own recognizance.

DOCARE Chief Jason Redulla commented, “While the majority of our residents are following emergency rules, including not congregating on beaches, this arrest clearly demonstrates that there are a few who are not. They are not only possibly endangering the health of others, but their own. Health experts tell us, it takes everyone complying with social-distancing and other mandates in order to keep coronavirus at bay. Our officers will aggressively enforce the emergency rules and all other laws when they are advised of violations.”