Police Arrest and Charge Kea‘au Man in Hilo Robbery Investigation

Hawai’i Island police have arrested and charged 20-year-old Bronson Kaena Histo of Kea‘au for robbery and theft offenses Hawai‘i Island police have arrested and charged 20-year-old Bronson Kaena Histo of Kea‘au for robbery and theft offenses stemming from an incident last month at a Hilo shopping mall.

On Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at 4:35 p.m., South Hilo patrol officers responded to a shopping center in the 100 block of Puainako Street for a theft at a kiosk within a shopping mall. Police determined that a male suspect removed jewelry items from the kiosk and attempted to leave without paying. When confronted by a female sales clerk, the man used force against her, causing minor injuries before fleeing on foot with the stolen merchandise.

Detectives with the Area I Criminal Investigation Section continued the investigation and positively identified Histo as the suspect. An arrest warrant was subsequently obtained.

On Saturday, May 23, 2026, Histo was arrested in Puna on the strength of the warrant. After conferring with Hawai‘i County Office of the Prosecuting Attorney, he was charged with:

• Second-degree robbery
• Second-degree theft

His total bail was set at $15,000.

Histo was also arrested and charged for an unrelated outstanding bench warrant for failure to appear. He is scheduled to make his initial court appearance on Tuesday, May 26, in Hilo District Court. Police ask anyone who may have information about the April 28 incident to please contact Detective David Poohina of the Area I Criminal Investigation Section, at (808) 961-2385, or via email at David.Poohina@hawaiipolice.gov.