KAILUA-KONA — The Hawaii Police Department continues to await the results of lab testing that would let them move forward in a sexual assault case that occurred at Old Kona Airport Park last year.
Hawaii Police Department Captain Chad Basque said evidence sent to a forensic analysis lab in Honolulu can take anywhere from six to 24 months to get results back.
“Still waiting,” Basque said Tuesday when asked about the status of that evidence.
Until that evidence comes back though, he said, there isn’t anything police can do to move forward on the case of the incident reported five months ago at Old Kona Airport Park.
At 8:35 p.m. on Sept. 3., police said, two boys reportedly approached a woman in the park area, then punched and sexually assaulted her.
Police arrested one suspect, a 15-year-old boy, one day after the attack. He was later released to the custody of his parents.
Police also indicated that there was a second suspect, described as having a “muscular build,” but no new arrests in the case have been announced.
The violent attack inspired outrage among Kona residents, many of whom voiced concern about a sexual assault suspect being released back into the community.
A demonstration in October attracted about a dozen Big Island residents who said the case wasn’t being given enough attention.
In November, police said they were awaiting the return of evidence from the state crime lab, the same evidence they are still waiting for. Basque said at that time that prosecutors wanted the results of an evidence kit before they decide to file charges.
It’s unknown, meanwhile, whether the boy police arrested is attending a local school.
The Department of Education’s communications office director, Donalyn Dela Cruz, said student privacy laws prevent the department from discussing any case involving students.
“For all students and staff, our schools work to ensure a safe learning environment,” she said. “Appropriate action is taken on a case by case basis. Should there be an incident that requires more administrative oversight, the school leaders and counselors will determine the best approach in making sure all students feel secure and safe.”
Police earlier this week declined an open records request for documents related to the case, saying the reports aren’t available based on a law that excludes records that “must be confidential in order for the government to avoid the frustration of a legitimate government function.”
