A confrontation between former partners in Ewa Beach has turned into a serious criminal case, with a 38-year-old Kapolei man now facing charges after his ex-girlfriend reported she was held against her will and assaulted last month. Police say the woman managed to escape, then went to the Kapolei police station to report what happened, and officers later arrested the suspect in Makakilo. Prosecutors have charged him with kidnapping and terroristic threatening in the second degree, and bail was set at $250,000 as the case moves through Honolulu’s criminal process.
Investigation and arrest
According to Hawaii News Now, the 30-year-old woman told officers her ex-boyfriend held her against her will and assaulted her on Saturday. She got away and reported the alleged kidnapping the next day at the Kapolei Police Station. Officers later identified the suspect as 38-year-old Shane Casperson Kim and found him in Makakilo, where he was taken into custody on suspicion of kidnapping and terroristic threatening. Hawaii News Now reports that prosecutors reviewed the investigation and formally charged Kim the following day.
Where the report was filed
The alleged assault and report were handled by Honolulu Police Department District 8, which covers Ewa Beach, Makakilo and Kapolei. According to the Honolulu Police Department, the Kapolei station is District 8’s receiving desk and processes arrests, so victims from the Ewa area commonly file reports there. That setup is part of why investigators on the Leeward side coordinated the arrest in Makakilo.
What the charges mean
Kidnapping in Hawaii is prosecuted under state penal law and can carry severe felony penalties depending on the circumstances, while terroristic threatening in the second degree is treated as a misdemeanor under state law. Hawaii courts have explained that the statute’s “restraint” element for kidnapping involves interfering with a person’s liberty in a way that is evaluated against the surrounding facts, and terroristic threatening covers words or conduct that terrorize another person. For background on how those statutes and case law are applied, the Hawaii Supreme Court has issued an opinion summarizing HRS §707-720 and related rules.
Next steps in court
Per Hawaii News Now, Kim remains in custody on $250,000 bail while the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney reviews discovery and prepares for arraignment and any preliminary hearings. If prosecutors decide to add or narrow charges, that would show up at upcoming court dates, and any final penalties would depend on whether there are convictions, plea agreements or a trial verdict.
Help for survivors
If you or someone you know needs support, the Domestic Violence Action Center operates a confidential helpline and services in Hawaii, with the organization’s site listing an Oʻahu helpline and toll-free numbers for immediate assistance. For statewide resources and 24/7 options, the National Domestic Violence Hotline and local legal and advocacy groups can help connect survivors with shelter, medical care and court accompaniment.
