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Oct. 26: Katherine “Kat” Aikau seeks a court protective order, alleging her husband, Gerald Aikau, physically abused her and destroyed their household property. She suspects drug use. Court grants order.
Nov. 9: Order is dissolved at Katherine’s request. She notes her husband is getting medical help. But the couple no longer live together.
Nov. 21: Gerald is charged with abuse over the October incident. He pleads not guilty.
Nov. 25: Katherine files a request for a second protective order, citing more alleged abuse: “Gerald appears completely out of control, and I am fearful of him and I don’t feel safe.”
Dec. 7: Couple agrees to a four-month protective order, though Gerald denies the abuse allegations. He is set to enroll in a mainland drug rehab program.
Dec. 27: Gerald gets a continuance in the criminal case so he can attend the mainland program. It’s the first of three the defense requests and gets over the next few months.
January: Katherine buys a boat for her and Reef, the couple’s son, to live aboard.
Feb. 28: Gerald is charged with violating the protective order, pleads not guilty.
March 2: Katherine asks the court to amend the protective order to compel Gerald to sign paperwork for Reef’s passport. She plans to take Reef on a monthlong trip in mid-May that includes spending time on a friend’s charter boat in Greece as part of the crew to learn more about operating and maintaining a boat.
March 7: Court denies Katherine’s amendment request, saying the protective order was not the proper forum for the passport issue.
March 8: Gerald files for divorce, seeks joint custody of Reef.
March 20: Gerald seeks a continuance in the protective order criminal case. It is the first of four.
March 21: Katherine seeks an expedited hearing on the soon-to-expire protective order, saying Gerald has been violating it. She also says he has been acting erratically. “I fear for my safety.”
April 3: Court extends the protective order for a year. Gerald continues to deny the abuse allegations.
April 13: In her request for pre-decree relief, Katherine seeks sole physical and legal custody of Reef, temporary suspension of Gerald’s visitation rights and a court order compelling Gerald to sign the passport documents. “I have immediate safety concerns for my son.”
April 18: The trial is to begin on both criminal charges. Both sides say they are ready. But the trial is rescheduled to May to accommodate another case.
May 10: Katherine and Gerald reach an agreement on the divorce, including the passport matter, but the decree isn’t approved. Just before it was to be presented to the judge, Gerald’s new attorney makes an appearance, advises his client that more information is needed and requests a continuance. The passport matter is moved to July.
May 16: Court congestion prompts a trial delay in the criminal cases. Both sides agree to reschedule it to Aug. 14.
June 13: Gerald is discovered hanging from a tree in Pauoa. Reef is found fatally stabbed in a nearby cottage.
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