Hawai‘i Island police have initiated a coroner’s inquest investigation following an assault and subsequent death of a 34-year-old man in downtown Hilo.
 
On January 16, Hilo patrol officers and Hawai‘i County Fire Department personnel responded to a report of an unresponsive male fronting the Mo‘oheau Bus Terminal. 
 
Officers began CPR on the man, who had reportedly been assaulted minutes earlier, until medics arrived and took over. He was then transported via ambulance to the Hilo Medical Center Emergency Room and was later pronounced dead.
 
Numerous witnesses reported that the victim was involved in an earlier altercation with a 34-year-old female acquaintance near the homeless encampment along the fence line separating the Mo‘oheau parking lot and Bayfront Highway.
 
Following the altercation, the victim was also reportedly involved in a physical brawl with several men. Following the fight, the victim reportedly retrieved some of his belongings from a tent and rode away on his skateboard to the front of the bus terminal, where he sat on a bench. Shortly afterwards he was seen falling forward and hitting his head on the ground.
 
Police detectives are reviewing area video surveillance in hopes of identifying the men who were involved in the altercation with the victim.
 
An autopsy to determine the exact cause of death is scheduled for this morning.      
 
The victim’s name is being withheld at this time pending positive identification and notification of next of kin.
 
Police ask anyone who may have witnessed this incident or has information relative to this case to call Detective Kimo Keliipaakaua of the Area I Criminal Investigation Section at (808) 961-2375 or email kimo.keliipaakaua@hawaiicounty.gov.