Kahakuloa, Maui – Kaulana Alo-Kaonohi and Levi Aki Jr. have been convicted by a federal jury of committing a hate crime against C.K., a white man who moved into their neighborhood. The two men violently attacked C.K., leaving him severely injured, motivated by racial animosity. The two-week trial laid bare a pattern of harassment and threats directed at C.K. and his family upon their arrival, culminating in a brutal physical assault.
The feds presented evidence showing C.K. was targeted the moment he and his family arrived in Kahakuloa. Residents openly voiced their displeasure with a white family moving into the area, and that hostility escalated quickly. On February 13, 2014, Alo-Kaonohi and Aki Jr. confronted C.K. while he was unpacking with his elderly uncle, demanding he leave. The confrontation turned violent, with the defendants repeatedly assaulting C.K. until he lost consciousness.
Crucially, C.K. managed to record the initial stages of the attack on his phone, but the defendants seized the device after knocking him out. However, security cameras on C.K.’s vehicle captured vital footage corroborating his account. The FBI, working alongside the Civil Rights Division, meticulously built the case, gathering witness testimonies and presenting the damning video evidence. The prosecution argued the assault wasn’t simply a dispute, but a deliberate act of violence fueled by racial hatred.
The defense attempted to downplay the racial element, offering little in the way of a coherent motive beyond claiming a general disagreement. They presented minimal witness testimony and failed to effectively rebut the evidence presented by the prosecution. The jury saw through the attempt to obscure the truth, delivering a clear verdict that acknowledged the racially motivated nature of the attack. This wasn’t a random act of violence; it was a targeted assault based on C.K.’s race.
The conviction underscores the federal commitment to prosecuting hate crimes, regardless of the perpetrator or victim. Assistant U.S. Attorney Clare E. Connors and Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke hailed the verdict as a victory for civil rights, emphasizing that such behavior will not be tolerated. FBI Special Agent in Charge Steven Merrill added that the bureau will continue to prioritize investigations into hate-motivated violence. The victim suffered significant physical and emotional trauma, and the community is left grappling with the exposure of deep-seated racial tensions.
Alo-Kaonohi and Aki Jr. are now awaiting sentencing, scheduled for March 2, 2023. Each man faces a maximum sentence of ten years in federal prison. While an appeal is possible, the conviction sends a strong message: attacking someone because of their race carries serious consequences. The feds will be watching closely, and this case sets a precedent for future hate crime prosecutions in Hawaii and beyond. Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on the sentencing and any subsequent legal developments.
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