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Court documents detail brutal downtown Honolulu sex assault; victim remains hospitalized

COURTESY HPD
                                Michael T. Hirokawa, 31, is set to be arraigned this week on charges of second-degree attempted murder, kidnapping and three counts of first-degree sex assault. A judge will also address a motion requesting the court to commit him without bail pending court proceedings.
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COURTESY HPD

Michael T. Hirokawa, 31, is set to be arraigned this week on charges of second-degree attempted murder, kidnapping and three counts of first-degree sex assault. A judge will also address a motion requesting the court to commit him without bail pending court proceedings.

A 31-year-old man accused of sexually assaulting a woman at an apartment in downtown Honolulu allegedly punched her genital area multiple times, according to new court documents.

An arraignment is scheduled to be held at Circuit Court today for Michael T. Hirokawa after an Oahu grand jury recently indicted him on charges of second-­degree attempted murder, kidnapping and three counts of first-degree sex assault.

He turned himself in to the state sheriffs office Dec. 3 and was released after posting a $500,000 bond.

A judge is set to address motions in the case at the hearing.

The state filed a motion requesting the court to commit Hirokawa without bail pending trial. In the motion, deputy attorney general Michelle Puu said Hirokawa poses a danger to others and is a flight risk.

Hirokawa’s attorney, Alen Kaneshiro, filed a motion in opposition of the state’s request. Kaneshiro said Hirokawa does not have any prior criminal convictions and is not a flight risk, noting he surrendered his passport to his bondsman. Kaneshiro contends there are inaccuracies in the state’s motion and false statements made to law enforcement.

The alleged brutal assault occurred Nov. 21 at a unit Hirokawa rented at Capitol Place, a condominium building at 1200 Queen Emma St.

According to the motion filed by Puu, the woman’s friend introduced her to Hirokawa at a restaurant. They engaged in conversation and exchanged phone numbers before the women left.

Later that night, the victim and Hirokawa texted and agreed to meet, court documents said. A taxi took her to an office building where he was allegedly drinking alcohol heavily with a male friend and appeared to “doze off periodically.”

The victim drove Hirokawa’s car and took him to his apartment building. He invited her to his place, where she had a sip of wine. The victim then told Hirokawa she needed to leave when he allegedly forced her into his bedroom. The victim resisted when he allegedly overpowered her, choked her and sexually assaulted her.

At some point, she managed to get off the bed when Hirokawa allegedly choked her again, stomped on her head and repeatedly punched her genital area.

Court documents said Hirokawa eventually stopped and fell asleep. The victim then exited the apartment naked and entered an elevator, where she crumpled to the floor.

Building security personnel saw the woman via a surveillance video at about 2:05 a.m. They accessed control of the elevator and directed it the lobby floor. Police arrived after the victim managed to tell security Hirokawa’s location.

In the unit, police observed a trail of blood leading to the bedroom, where officers found Hirokawa sleeping. Police said there was a substantial amount of blood on the bed sheets, floor and walls and on Hirokawa’s hands. Officers arrested him.

Court documents said the victim went into “hemorrhagic shock” and was taken in critical condition to The Queen’s Medical Center. She had a blood transfusion and underwent emergency surgery for a severe wound to her genital area. Puu said the woman remains hospitalized.

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