A 34-year-old Hilo man facing numerous burglary and theft charges is accused of stealing groundskeeping tools valued at almost $6,000 from a storage room at Wong Stadium as well as more than $20,000 worth of items from lockers at a nearby commercial self-storage facility, according to court documents filed by police.
Richard Kuakini “Kini Boy” Kaleohano Jr. was charged Wednesday with three counts of burglary during an emergency period, three counts of first-degree theft, three counts of second-degree burglary and a single fourth-degree theft charge.
The most serious charges are Class B felonies punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment upon conviction.
Documents state that the stolen items from the county stadium include “numerous weed whackers, leaf blowers and chainsaws” reportedly taken in a mid-December burglary. Police reportedly received information that the stolen items were sold and two individuals told police they bought the items from Kaleohano.
Police say the storage facility, identified in documents as StorQuest Self Storage, reported in early September that numerous storage units had their locks cut and items removed.
Documents state those items include an air conditioner, collectible cards, vintage comic books, a camp stove and dive gear. Police say Kaleohano was identified as a suspect on the storage facility’s surveillance video.
According to documents, Kaleohano’s criminal history includes a felony conviction in 2019 for credit card theft and fraudulent use of a credit card. Court records indicate he was on a four-year probation term when the recent offenses occurred.
Kaleohano made his initial court appearance Thursday. Hilo District Judge Kanani Laubach maintained Kaleohano’s bail at $161,000 and ordered him to return Monday for a preliminary hearing.
Kaleohano remains in custody at Hawaii Community Correctional Center.
Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.