University of Hawaii football player Kennedy Tulimasealii on Thursday pleaded not guilty in Circuit Court to six criminal charges.

The combined cases were assigned to Circuit Judge Christine Kuriyama for trial, beginning Aug. 8.

Tulimasealii, 21, plans to change his plea to no contest and ask Kuriyama for a deferral, according to his attorney, Michael Green. A deferral would give Tulimasealii an opportunity to avoid conviction and have the charges cleared from his criminal record if he stays out of trouble for a specified period of time.

The charges stem from four separate incidents involving a dispute between Tulimasealii and his 20-year-old former girlfriend. He was charged with damaging a car in late February, property damage on March 1, assault on April 11 and assault, resisting arrest and harassment on April 12.

The property damage charge is a Class C felony because it involves costs exceeding $1,500. The assaults and resisting arrest charges are misdemeanors. The other two charges are petty misdemeanors.

Circuit Judge Richard Perkins granted Tulimasealii’s request to have the cases combined into one hearing.

Deputy Prosecutor Moanikeala Crowell agreed the cases should be heard together because “the conduct is domestic violence. That’s the crux of it.” Crowell said “domestic abuse is a broad term” that is applicable even though Tulimasealii and his accuser did not live together.

Green said he seeks a resolution before Aug. 8.

“Both sides want closure,” Green said. “Her lawyer wants closure. We want closure. We want to make sure her rights are respected (and) his rights are respected, and we’ll try to get a just result for everyone.”

Green said not contesting the charges is a “way emotions get to heal. There are always two sides to every story. I’d prefer emotions kind of calm down a little bit and go forward and everybody go on with their lives.”

Tulimasealii reportedly is attending anger management classes.

He has been suspended from participating in football-related activities since his April 12 arrest. He has remained on scholarship and is permitted to attend classes and study hall.