Mountain View Man Arrested and Charged in Sexual Assault Investigation Involving Minor

Hawai‘i Island police have arrested and charged 34-year-old Kaulana Kaikoo Awaa, of Mountain View, in connection with an ongoing sexual assault investigation involving a minor female in the Puna district.

The investigation began on August 6, 2025, when South Hilo patrol officers contacted a minor female at the South Hilo Police Station relative to a separate investigation. It was reported that Awaa had sexual contact with the minor female on multiple occasions, with the contact alleged to have begun in 2020.

The reported incidents occurred at multiple locations, to include Awaa’s residence in the Hawaiian Acres subdivision, in the area of the 16-1300 block of Opeapea Road.

The Area I Juvenile Aid Section continued the investigation, obtaining search warrants for Awaa’s body, residence and vehicle; as well as a warrant for his arrest.

On Sunday, August 17, 2025, Awaa was arrested without incident at his residence on the strength of the arrest warrant. Following conferral with the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney, Awaa was charged that day with:

· Continuous sexual assault of a minor under the age of fourteen

· First-degree sexual assault

· Abuse of a family or household member

Bail was set at $201,000.

On Wednesday, August 20, 2025, the case was presented to a Grand Jury, which returned an indictment. As a result, a Grand Jury Warrant was issued increasing Awaa’s bail to $750,000. On August 22, 2025, Awaa was arrested for this warrant and remains in custody at the Hawaii Community Correctional Facility.

Police ask anyone who may have additional information regarding this case to contact Detective Jenny Lee of the Area I Juvenile Aid Section at (808) 961-2279 or via email at Jenny.Lee@hawaiipolice.gov.

Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300. They may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. Crime Stoppers is a volunteer program run by community members who want to help keep Hawai‘i Island safe. Crime Stoppers does not record calls or subscribe to caller ID. All tips are kept strictly confidential.