LIHU‘E — People who snort or inject the powerful, addictive painkiller oxycontin are called “slammers” in some circles. They prefer the nearly instant high — or low — that running the prescription drug directly into their bloodstreams causes compared to
LIHU‘E — People who snort or inject the powerful, addictive painkiller oxycontin are called “slammers” in some circles.
They prefer the nearly instant high — or low — that running the prescription drug directly into their bloodstreams causes compared to the relatively slower rush of popping pills.
It is against that backdrop that up to three gun shots rang out in the middle of the day in the Kaua‘i Village shopping center parking lot, a situation eventually leading to the arrest of three men: Kyle Akau, 24, of Anahola; Akoni Davis, 21, of Hanama‘ulu; and Vicente Hilario, 23, of Anahola.
They were arrested Aug. 24 and Aug. 25 for the Aug. 22 incident, according to officials.
During a particularly long three-day preliminary hearing before 5th District Judge Trudy Senda, enough evidence was presented to send Akau’s case up to 5th Circuit Court where it has been assigned to Judge Randal Valenciano.
Robbery charges were dismissed without prejudice — meaning they could be brought again later — against Davis and Hilario, who were picked up by Kaua‘i police officers after allegedly fleeing the scene of the armed robbery. The charges were dropped after the preliminary trial, said Michael Soong, attorney for Davis.
Bound over in the case was Akau, who allegedly fired at least one shot from a .22-caliber handgun during the Aug. 22 robbery.
Aureo Moore was allegedly robbed of around $900 in cash, over 150 tablets of oxycodone and over 50 tablets of morphine, Akau’s case file indicates.
Akau’s remaining charges are first-degree robbery, second-degree reckless endangering, third-degree promotion of a detrimental drug, third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug, and four firearms and ammunition violations, state-court records indicate.
The charges are a mixture of felonies and misdemeanors. Akau has 12 felony arrests, including nine pending.
Through attorney Craig De Costa, Akau pleaded not guilty to the charges before Valenciano. He requested a jury trial, which Valenciano tentatively scheduled for Dec. 27 before 5th Circuit Judge Kathleen Watanabe, state-court records show.
DeCosta asked for an earlier trial date, and Valenciano said DeCosta should make that a motion for Watanabe to consider.
DeCosta is on vacation and could not be reached for further comment.
Akau is at Kaua‘i Community Correctional Center. His bail is $100,000, down from the original $250,000.
DeCosta asked for a bail study and asked that bail be reduced to just over $50,000, but Murphy objected and Valenciano set bail at $100,000.
Attorney Rosa Flores represents Hilario.
Soong said the charges dropped against Davis represent a victory of sorts. Davis has been accepted into Kaua‘i Drug Court and being charged with robbery likely would have resulted in his getting dismissed from Drug Court.
Davis and Hilario were originally charged as Akau’s accomplices, but there was no information at the preliminary hearing to support those charges, said Soong.
John Murphy, county deputy prosecuting attorney, is representing the state versus Akau.
On another occasion, Akau was arrested with a .45-caliber pistol in his possession, state-court records show.
• Paul C. Curtis, assistant editor and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 224) or pcurtis@kauaipubco.com.
