40 year-old Auston R. Aini of Kona was sentenced to ten years in prison for an incident at the Black Lava Vape Shop in Kona.

He was also ordered to pay $260.00 in restitution.

According to police, Aini pointed what appeared to be a black colored pistol, later
determined to be a BB gun, towards the store employee’s head, demanded that she open the register, and removed approximately $260.00 in cash as well as an unknown amount of money from within a clear tote labeled “Maui Donations”

Police also learned that Aini had pointed the same BB gun at another male party whom he instructed to “check-out” the scene prior to the robbery incident.

On October 4, 2024, Aini appeared in Kona Circuit Court where he entered a “No Contest” plea
to the charge of Robbery in the Second Degree. Aini had remained in custody in lieu of $323,000.00 bail for the duration of these proceedings since being first arrested on May 18, 2024, the same day as the incident.

The case was prosecuted by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Chase Murray.

 

HPD Photo