Man accused of assault, violating police warning citation

WAILUKU — A Waiehu man is facing charges alleging he assaulted and restrained a woman after violating a police warning citation to stay away from her and the residence where she was staying.

During his arraignment Friday in 2nd Circuit Court, Richard Akahi, 28, pleaded not guilty to two counts of second-degree assault, two counts of abuse by violating a warning citation and second-degree unlawful imprisonment.

Police issued a warning citation to Akahi the afternoon of Oct. 22 after he allegedly pushed the woman to the ground during an argument near Kahekili Highway and Kamaile Street in Wailuku. The citation ordered Akahi to have no contact with the woman and not go to the Wailuku residence until Oct. 26.

Police said he went to the residence Oct. 22 after being issued the citation and left with the woman in his car. She remained with him that night after he wouldn’t take her home and threatened her when she tried to get out of the car, according to police.

On Oct. 23 or 24, while the woman was walking on the road in Wailuku, Akahi grabbed her and put her in his vehicle, police said.

They were in the car arguing on Oct. 24 when she tried to get out and he pulled her hair and held her by her hair, according to police. Akahi stopped the car and punched her in the face, police said, before he eventually allowed the woman to leave with his vehicle.

Police records show Akahi was arrested Oct. 27.

Appearing by videoconference from the Maui Community Correctional Center for his court hearing Friday, Akahi asked for his bail to be reduced from $100,000.

The prosecution asked for bail to be maintained.

Deputy Prosecutor Sally Tobin said Akahi has a handful of convictions in the past almost 10 years and finished serving a five-year prison term about a year ago. In 2017, he was convicted of second-degree assault and second-degree criminal property damage.

Judge Kirstin Hamman kept bail at $100,000.