Man accused of stealing vodka from Kihei store faces felony charge

Attorney says defendant suffers from alcoholism and needs treatment, not jail

WAILUKU — A man arrested for allegedly stealing alcohol from a Kihei store Monday suffers from alcoholism and was recently released from prison for a similar crime, his attorney said Friday.

He asked the court to release Joseph Hao, 54, who pleaded not guilty to charges of habitual property crime, fourth-degree theft and harassment.

Police said Hao was arrested after he pushed an employee who tried to block him from leaving ABC Stores at 2349 S. Kihei Road without paying for two bottles of vodka and swung a vodka bottle at a customer who intervened outside the store.

The customer held Hao until police arrived.

During Hao’s arraignment Friday in 2nd Circuit Court, Deputy Public Defender Zach Raidmae said what occurred was “just like in 2017” when Hao was arrested for stealing two bottles of vodka from the same location.

He is charged with the felony offense of habitual property crime, which carries a mandatory one-year jail term, based on his prior convictions for two felonies or misdemeanors within the past 10 years.

“It’s a theft in the fourth degree that is enhanced by this charge, habitual property crime,” Raidmae said. “It’s one of the most heavily punished Class C felonies. This is a shoplifting case.”

He said Hao recently was released from prison after being sentenced to a five-year prison term for second-degree theft in his 2017 case.

“It’s a shame,” Raidmae said. “And I think it’s inappropriate to saddle the taxpayers with housing a person who just steals vodka.”

The bottles of vodka were valued at $38 each.

Raidmae said Hao suffers from alcoholism and hasn’t received treatment.

“It’s no surprise to me that he gets out of the facility and he’s doing the exact same thing,” Raidmae said. “It’s archaic and outdated to incarcerate people for this type of behavior.”

Deputy Prosecutor Randy Oyama asked for bail to remain at $1,000 for Hao, who has an “extensive criminal history” including convictions for contempt of court.

Judge Adrianne Heely kept bail at $1,000, citing Hao’s criminal history including convictions for theft, abuse, harassment and contempt of court.

“The court finds good cause that the bail is in a reasonable amount,” she said.

Hao was ordered to stay away from the ABC Stores location and to have no contact with the employee who was pushed.

A Nov. 14 pretrial conference is set for Hao, who was being held at the Maui Community Correctional Center.