Kona man facing manslaughter charges

A 28-year-old man will make his initial court appearance today on a charge of manslaughter stemming from an assault that left a 64-year-old Captain Cook man dead.

At 11:45 a.m. Thursday, detectives from the Area II Criminal Investigation Section arrested 28-year-old Daniel Watai-Simeona of Kailua-Kona for manslaughter stemming from an assault that occurred Dec. 3 on Henry Street in Kailua-Kona earlier this month.

Kona patrol officers responded to a call of a traffic accident involving a pedestrian at 10:25 p.m. Dec. 3, but later determined that the incident was an assault. The victim stopped his vehicle on Henry Street to address an incident involving an animal. While outside of his vehicle, he was assaulted by an unknown male passer-by who then left the area.

Because of the severity of his injuries, the victim was flown to The Queen’s Medical Center on Oahu. He died from his injuries Sunday evening.

The victim has been identified as 64-year-old Menry Mendoza of Captain Cook.

On Wednesday, after identifying and interviewing numerous witnesses, CIS detectives determined that Watai-Simeona was the person who assaulted Mendoza. Personnel from Area II Criminal Investigation Division and Kona Patrol located and took Watai-Simeona into custody and charged him one count of manslaughter on Thursday.

Watai-Simeona is currently being held at the Kealakehe Police Station pending his initial court appearance today. Bail is set at $250,000.

He was also arrested for an outstanding $300 bench warrant.

Anyone who may have information on this incident is encouraged to contact Detective Tyler Prokopec at (808) 326-4646, ext. 224, via email at tyler.prokopec@hawaiicounty.gov or contact the police department’s nonemergency number at (808) 935-3311.

Those who wish to remain anonymous can make a tip through Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.