A 21-year-old Hilo man accused of a burglary spree in late October made his initial court appearance Monday.
Kalei Kaina Kaaumoana pleaded not guilty to two counts of first-degree burglary and three counts of second-degree theft. Hilo District Judge Harry Freitas ordered Kaaumoana to return Wednesday at 2 p.m. for a preliminary hearing.
Kaaumoana appeared in custody in lieu of $80,000 bail and Deputy Public Defender Zachary Wingert requested he be freed on supervised release.
“We would note no prior convictions for contempt of court or failure to appear,” Wingert said. “Mr. Kaaumoana would assure the court of his appearance for a preliminary hearing.”
Deputy Prosecutor Roland Kaholo Talon asked the court to “follow the recommendation to confirm bail.”
“Although the defendant does not have an extensive history as far as convictions, it appears he’s just continuing to violate the law and get into trouble, and we believe he should be held.”
The judge maintained Kaaumoana’s bail.
According to court documents filed by police, on Oct. 23, a 91-year-old woman reported that an unknown suspect or suspects broke into her lower Kaumana Drive home by removing a window screen and four jalousie louvers and took about $27,000 worth of jewelry. A fingerprint from one of the louvers matched Kaaumoana, documents state.
Documents also state that a 36-year-old man told police his home on Haihai Street was also entered through a window and about $800 worth of items were taken, including a white 16-gigabyte iPad. Again, fingerprints pointed to Kaaumoana as the suspect, according to documents.
And a 1970s vintage Kamaka keiki koa ukulele reportedly stolen from Chiefess Kapiolani Elementary School was discovered by a police officer conducting pawn shop checks at Lend &Trend in Hilo. The pawn shop owner identified Kaaumoana as the individual who sold him the ukulele on June 30, documents state.
An appraisal by Hilo Guitars &Ukuleles valued the instrument at $400.
First-degree burglary is a Class B felony punishable by up to five years imprisonment and second-degree theft is a Class C felony carrying a possible five-year prison term upon conviction.
Kaaumoana remained in custody Monday evening at Hawaii Community Correctional Center.
Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.