A 64-year-old Hilo man pleaded not guilty Wednesday to 23 felony charges in connection with the sexual assault of two minor girls.
Paul Kanaina Kaelemakule Caitano is free after a bail bond company covered his $500,000 bail immediately after Caitano’s arraignment before Hilo Circuit Judge Peter Kubota.
Caitano was indicted April 20 by a Hilo grand jury on 13 counts of third-degree sexual assault, eight counts of first-degree sexual assault, and two counts of continuous sexual assault of a minor under the age of 14.
First-degree sexual assault and continuous sexual assault of a minor under 14 are Class A felonies punishable by up to 20 years of imprisonment. Third-degree sexual assault is a Class C felony punishable by up to five years of imprisonment.
The offenses allegedly occurred between February 2014 and February 2018 and involved girls born in 2003 and 2006, identified only by their initials in the indictment.
Caitano turned himself in to police Wednesday morning at the Hilo station after being informed of a bench warrant for his arrest.
Deputy Public Defender Justin Lee argued for a bail reduction to $255,000, noting Caitano’s age, that he is employed and the fact he turned himself in, declaring his client “not a flight risk.”
Deputy Prosecutor Sylvia Wan asked Kubota to increase Caitano’s bail to $630,000 due to the of the allegations and pointing out that prosecutors are seeking an extended sentence because there are multiple offenses involving multiple children.
Wan said if extended sentencing is granted, Caitano could be facing life imprisonment with the possibility of parole. She estimated trial in his case would take between three and four weeks.
Kubota maintained Caitano’s bail at $500,000, calling it “fair enough” given the offenses. He also set trial for Caitano for 9 a.m. Sept. 19.
Caitano appeared in person, wearing a mask, and speaking only once, answering “yes, Your Honor,” when asked if he is Paul Caitano.
In an unrelated sex assault case, a 40-year-old Waianae, Oahu, man indicted by a Hilo grand jury on April 6 also was scheduled to make his initial appearance Wednesday in Hilo Circuit Court.
According to court records, Christopher Kanealii Enos wasn’t brought to the video room at Halawa Correctional Facility on Oahu. Deputy Prosecutor Lucas Burns told Hilo Circuit Judge Henry Nakamoto the medium security prison was on lockdown.
The 11-count indictment charges Enos with two counts of kidnapping and first-degree sexual assault, plus first-degree violation of privacy, misdemeanor domestic abuse, and five counts of felony domestic abuse.
The victim is an adult woman, and the offenses allegedly occurred between Feb. 26-27 in Hilo.
The most serious charges are Class A felonies punishable by a maximum sentence of 20 years of imprisonment.
However, prosecutors have provided notice to seek an extended prison term for Enos — who has prior felony convictions for kidnapping, illegally carrying a firearm and felony theft — which means Enos could face a life sentence with the possibility of parole.
Enos’ bail is $179,000, and he’s being held for violating parole.
Nakamoto rescheduled Enos’ hearing for 9:30 a.m. May 11.
The Tribune-Herald doesn’t identify sexual assault victims unless they choose to go public.
Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.