KEALAKEKUA — A Kailua-Kona man was sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to sexual assault charges in December.
On Wednesday morning, Kimo Kalanikualii Piko appeared before 3rd Circuit Court Judge Melvin Fujino for judgment in two separate sex assault complaints stemming from indictments filed with the court last year. The cases involved two different juvenile victims where Piko was in a position of trust.
Piko pleaded guilty to second-degree sexual assault in each case, after reaching a plea agreement. Fujino committed him to incarceration for an indeterminate period of up to 10 years, with credit for time served. The sentences are to be served concurrently.
During the court proceedings, Deputy Prosecutor Chase Murray said Piko has shown no remorse in this situation and seems more concerned about himself.
“I think it’s not so much he doesn’t feel empathy,” Deputy Public Defender Wendy DeWeese said in response to Murray’s statement, “it’s that he doesn’t know how to articulate it.”
DeWeese added Piko will tackle what he needs to in order to get better.
Piko, who was in custody, told the court he understood the severity of his crimes because he also went through it. He added that he needed to work on making himself better.
“All I can do is start from the here and now,” he said. “I know I did wrong.”
Piko was first indicted on July 11, 2017, on charges of first-degree sexual assault and incest for incidents that occurred on or about May 1, 2011, through Nov. 26, 2015. During that time, court documents state Piko “knowingly subjected to sexual penetration … a person who was mentally defective, and/or by strong compulsion.”
During that same time period, charging documents also state Piko committed an act of sexual penetration with an individual who was within the degrees of “consanguinity or affinity within which marriage is prohibited.”
In October 2017, a second indictment was filed where additional sexual assault and incest charges were filed for incidents that occurred on or about Jan. 1 through May 1, 2017.
On Wednesday, Fujino asked Piko why, after being investigated for the abuse of one victim, did he abuse the second victim.
“That’s the thing – I don’t think,” Piko answered.
“It was an impulse and that’s the honest-to-God truth,” Piko said. “I couldn’t help myself and this is why I’m getting convicted for this crime.”
While in prison, Fujino told Piko, he’s going to have to address what he did to the victims and stay clean and sober. The judge also ordered Piko write letters to the victims within 30 days.
“Part of their healing is knowing it wasn’t their fault,” he said.
Fujino also told Piko he wouldn’t be a help to anybody if he didn’t help himself.
“Do what you gotta do and you’ll get out one day,” the judge said.
Outside the courtroom after the hearing, DeWeese said the plea agreement was carefully drafted.
“It was appropriate based on all factors considered,” she said of the sentencing.
Murray said the victims were involved in the plea agreement.
“The victims didn’t want to testify, while still getting justice,” Murray said. “It’s the deal we made to protect the victims.”
After Piko’s statement in court, Murray was still unconvinced of Piko’s remorse for his actions.
“It still seemed to be mostly about ‘Kimo Piko,’ not what he did to the victims,” Murray said.
Piko is also required to register as a sex offender and pay $205 to the Crime Victims Compensation Fund.