A string of assaults in the Kalaoa area of Kona has resulted in the arrest of a 21-year-old man, identified as Ar Aweni, who now faces multiple charges, including assault and terroristic threatening. Hawai‘i Police Department reported the incident that began just after 7:00 p.m. on Thursday last week, when they responded to the scene following a report of an active assault.
A 44-year-old visitor from Oregon was punched in the shoulder by Aweni for unknown reasons. After the incident, Aweni and his two companions continued their actions, with tensions escalating. Aweni allegedly stabbed a 25-year-old in the hip and later accosted a 49-year-old woman near her home. The woman reported that Aweni covered her mouth during a struggle, eventually ending up on top of her while claiming his friends were chasing him. The 25-year-old victim was treated for his injury and released from Kona Community Hospital.
Hawai'i Police Department officers initiated a search for Aweni, who could not immediately be found; a “Be On the Lookout” notice was issued as detectives from the Area II Criminal Investigation Section took over the investigation, and according to the Hawai'i Police Department official report, Aweni was eventually located on Friday last week in Kailua-Kona and arrested without incident.
Aweni faced charges including third-degree assault for the incident involving the Oregon man, second-degree assault pertaining to the stabbing, first-degree terroristic threatening, and lesser charges in connection with the attack on the 49-year-old woman. His total bail was set at $16,100, and Aweni made his first court appearance on Tuesday.
