Hawai‘i Island police arrested and charged 36-year-old Curtiss Akoni Nihipali, who has no permanent address, with multiple offenses including kidnapping, assault, terroristic threatening, firearms, and drug charges. The charges stem from a June 12 incident that occurred near the Kapoho Kumukahi Lighthouse Road in Pahoa. Nihipali threatened a 43-year-old male while armed with a firearm and forced him to a remote location at gunpoint where he proceeded to physically assault him. The victim was eventually able to flee on foot and contact police.
Puna patrol officers located Nihipali hiding nearby and placed him under arrest. The victim was transported to Hilo Medical Center for treatment and was later released. Detectives from the Area I Criminal Investigation Section continued the investigation and after conferring with County Prosecutor’s Office on Monday, June 13, Nihipali was charged with:
- kidnapping
- two counts of assault in the second degree
- reckless endangering in the first degree
- terroristic threatening in the first degree
- ownership or possession of firearm prohibited
- ownership or possession of ammunition prohibited
- carrying or use of a firearm in the commission of a separate felony
- promoting a detrimental drug in the third degree
Nihipali’s bail was set at $191,000 and had his initial court appearance yesterday.
Photo credit: HPD