Kona man faces extortion charge

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KAILUA-KONA — The man who allegedly put naked photos of a woman on social media and tried to extort her was charged Thursday.

KAILUA-KONA — The man who allegedly put naked photos of a woman on social media and tried to extort her was charged Thursday.

Jerome Kaleokalani Kailiwai, 39, of Kailua-Kona, was charged with first-degree violation of privacy, first-degree extortion and second-degree terroristic threatening. He is also charged with multiple counts of violating a temporary restraining order.

Hawaii law dictates that someone has to ask for at least $200 over 12 months to qualify as first-degree extortion. The specific amount he allegedly demanded has not been made public.

All the charges were the result of offenses against one victim, according to court documents.

Kailiwai already posted a $7,500 bond and a number of conditions were added to his bail during the hearing. He is ordered to have no contact with the victim, either by himself or through third-parties.

Deputy prosecuting attorney Kate Deleon requested, and Judge Margaret Masunaga approved, that it specifically include social media as a route of communication.

Kailiwai was also ordered to stay away from the woman and not to threaten or harm her. He told the court she already had a restraining order against him.

He is scheduled to appear in court for his preliminary hearing at 2:30 p.m. Dec. 14.