Man told police he killed uncle with baseball bat at Pearl City home

When police found accused killer Thomas Arakaki, he was in the same bedroom as the body of his alleged victim, Deputy Prosecutor Ashley Tanaka told a state judge Wednesday.

An Oahu grand jury returned an indictment charging Arakaki, 31, with murder in connection with the death of his 53-year-old uncle, Stanley Yamada.

Circuit Judge Colette Garibaldi confirmed Arakaki’s bail at $200,000.

Arakaki has been in custody since his arrest on Oct. 30.

Honolulu police went to Yamada’s Hoohonua Street home that evening after Yamada’s girlfriend reported he had not shown up for work that day and that she was unable to contact him. Yamada was a Hawaiian Airlines ramp chief.

Tanaka said police officers found Yamada’s body covered with blankets in the same bedroom they found Arakaki. She said Yamada had suffered blunt force injuries to his head and torso.

Police said Arakaki told the officers that he had to kill Yamada because Yamada was going to grab a gun and shoot him. Arakaki also told the officers he punched Yamada and finished him off with a baseball bat.

Arakaki did not live with Yamada, but neighbors said Arakaki occasionally visited.

Tanaka said Arakaki has four prior arrests with no convictions and a history of mental health issues.