A 66-year-old Hawi resident is facing a slate of serious felony counts after a grand jury indicted him on attempted murder and related charges, capping what authorities describe as a lengthy North Kohala investigation.
William Tai Seu Wong is charged with second-degree attempted murder, second-degree assault, first-degree terroristic threatening and two counts of abuse of a family household member. Police say the alleged conduct, including a reported shooting on Dec. 9, 2024, took place at a North Kohala residence over roughly a year and a half, from April 26, 2023, through Nov. 8, 2024. Wong was arrested on April 8, and his total bail was set at $100,000.
Grand Jury Case Follows Months Of Police Work
According to the Hawaiʻi Police Department, its Area II Juvenile Aid Section led the investigation that resulted in the grand jury indictment. The department says the case started with a Dec. 9, 2024 report from a 47-year-old woman who told officers she had been threatened and physically abused.
In its media release, the Hawaiʻi Police Department lists Report Number 24-112392 and notes that Wong was taken into custody on April 8 under a grand jury bench warrant. The indictment sets out the felony counts prosecutors can now pursue in Hawaii County criminal court.
Victim’s Account And Alleged Timeline
Hawaii News Now reports that the woman told police she was shot in the left arm and back area, and that the alleged abuse stretched over more than a year. The outlet adds that the incidents were said to have occurred between April 26, 2023, and Nov. 8, 2024, at a North Kohala residence where Wong lives in the Hawi area.
Neither the police release nor Hawaii News Now provides further details about the firearm involved or the woman’s current medical condition.
What Comes Next In Court
Authorities say the indictment lays out multiple felony charges that county prosecutors can now move forward through the Hawaii County court system. Per the Hawaiʻi Police Department, the next steps include formal court filings and pretrial proceedings that will set arraignment and future court dates.
Wong is currently charged, not convicted, and is entitled to contest the allegations. His case is expected to follow the usual sequence of criminal-justice procedures, including potential motions hearings and other pretrial work.
Police Call On Community For Tips
Investigators are asking anyone with information linked to the case to contact Detective Carrie Akina at (808) 326-4646 ext. 278 or by email at [email protected], according to Hawaii News Now. Tips can help corroborate witness statements and support prosecutors as they prepare the case.
Police say community help is especially important in cases involving alleged domestic abuse and the reported use of a firearm inside a home.
Legal Context And Ongoing Tracking
Under Hawaii law, offenses such as attempted murder, assault and terroristic threatening are felonies that carry significant potential prison time if a defendant is convicted. Any eventual sentence would depend on the exact charges pursued and on factors such as prior convictions.
Because the matter is now before the courts, evidentiary questions and pretrial motions will play a major role in shaping how the case proceeds. Hawaii police say the indictment and arrest mark the close of a long-running investigative phase in North Kohala, although substantial work remains as the charges move through the legal system.
We will monitor Hawaii County court filings for updates, including scheduled hearings, arraignment dates or statements from prosecutors. Anyone with information is urged to contact Detective Akina using the details provided by police and local reporting.
