29 year-old Daniel Watai-Simeona of Kona, pleaded guilty to Manslaughter in connection to a December 3, 2021 incident that occurred on Henry Street in Kona.

Last week, Watai-Simeona appeared in Kona Circuit Court and entered a plea of “Guilty” to the offense of Manslaughter, a class A felony which carries a maximum penalty of 20years in prison. During the change of plea hearing, Watai-Simeona acknowledged that he recklessly caused the death of Menry Mendoza. He remains in custody in lieu of $250,000.00 bail pending his sentencing hearing scheduled for August 15, 2022.

The case was initiated by Kona Patrol. The felony investigation was handled by Detective Tyler Prokopec, Area II Criminal Investigation Section, Hawai‘i Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney.

Photo credit: Hawaiʻi County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office