A graduation party in Holualoa turned violent late at night when a fight outside the celebration ended in a stabbing that left one man critically injured and another hurt, according to police. Officers say they arrived to find two men with stab wounds and later arrested two Kailua‑Kona brothers, both described as local residents, in connection with the attack.
As reported by Big Island Now, Hawai‘i Island patrol officers responded to a weapons call at about 10:51 p.m. on July 18 after an affray that followed a party at the Kona Imin Center. When they got there, officers encountered several people involved in the fight and two men with stab wounds: a 41‑year‑old from Kailua‑Kona who was treated at the scene, and a 39‑year‑old from Hōlualoa who suffered pelvic‑penetrating injuries and was flown from Kona Community Hospital to Queen’s Medical Center on O‘ahu in critical condition.
Police response and investigation
In a news release, the Hawai‘i Police Department said its Area II Criminal Investigation Section has taken over the case. Two other adult males who were initially taken into custody at the scene were later released pending further investigation. Detectives are now working through witness statements and reviewing any available video from the event to reconstruct how the confrontation escalated.
Charges, bail and what’s next
Authorities identified 25‑year‑old Brandon Damian Urzua as the suspect who allegedly stabbed the two men and 27‑year‑old Brayan Damian Urzua as his alleged accomplice. Both brothers have been charged in connection with the incident, Big Island Now reports. Brandon Urzua was booked on second‑degree attempted murder, first‑degree assault and two counts of second‑degree assault, with bail set at about $1.2 million. Brayan Urzua faces accomplice and assault charges, with his bail set at roughly $1.15 million.
Legal implications
Attempted murder in Hawai‘i is a felony offense, and prosecutors must prove the defendant took a substantial step toward committing the underlying killing to secure a conviction. The state’s criminal statutes spell out the elements of criminal attempt and the definitions that apply to murder in the second degree. The relevant provisions are found in HRS 707‑701.5 and HRS 705‑500.
Context on Kona violence
The stabbing adds to a string of violent incidents reported in the Kona area this year, including an April case in which a visitor was charged after an alleged stabbing aboard a snorkel tour, as covered by Kona snorkel cruise turns bloody and other outlets. Investigators have repeatedly emphasized how critical witness video and timely community tips can be in solving assaults that break out at public or community events.
How to help investigators
Anyone with information about the July 18 incident is asked to contact Detective Jeremiah Hull at 808‑326‑4646 ext. 3224 or [email protected], according to the Hawai‘i Police Department. Witnesses who recorded photos or video at the graduation party are urged to preserve that material and share it with investigators.
