19.8.24 Hilo man arrested and charged with multiple counts of abuse

Hawaiian Police Department
Division I Youth Welfare Department
Lieutenant Robert P. Pauole
Phone: (808) 961-2254
Report No.: 24-074917

Media release

Hawaii Island Police arrested and charged 22-year-old Hunta Shaylo Wai'oli Santos of Hilo on Friday morning, August 16, 2024, with multiple counts of assault on a family member following a domestic dispute in Hilo.

Just before 10:00 a.m. Friday morning, Hilo patrol officers responded to a call at Wainaku Scenic Point on Highway 19, just north of downtown Hilo, after a female victim reported she had been physically abused by her boyfriend.

The victim told arriving officers that Santos struck her in two different locations in a shopping center parking lot in the 2100 block of Kanoelehua Avenue in Hilo. The couple then left the shopping center, with Santos driving the victim's vehicle toward the Wainaku area while continuing to physically abuse the woman in the vehicle. When they were in the area of ​​Wainaku Street and Halaulani Place, Santos reportedly stopped the vehicle, got out of the driver's seat, and struck the victim again from the passenger side, prompting several passing motorists to call 911. Santos then drove her to his residence in Pāpa'ikou and when he got out of the vehicle, the victim drove away from the area and called police.

During the incident, the victim stated that he was punched, his hair was pulled, and his breathing was restricted as Santos grabbed him by the neck and choked him.

Paramedics were called to the lookout, however the victim chose to transport herself to Hilo Benioff Medical Center, where she was treated and later released.

On Saturday afternoon, August 17, 2024, detectives from the Area I Juvenile Services Division, after consultation with the District Attorney's Office, filed the following charges against Santos:

• Severe abuse of a family member (by strangulation)
• Four cases of abuse of a family member against a spouse/partner

His bail was set at $18,000.

Santos' first court appearance is scheduled for Monday afternoon, August 19, in Hilo Family Court.

Police are asking anyone who witnessed the incidents to contact Detective Kevin Brodie of the Area I Juvenile Services Division at (808) 961-2373 or via email at [email protected].