Man charged in brutal assault pleads not guilty, put under house arrest

The 31-year-old man involved in an alleged brutal assault of a woman in November pleaded not guilty to his charges Thursday and is still free on bail — albeit under house arrest — despite the state’s concerns that he may have used a weapon in the assault.

During his arraignment and plea on Thursday, Michael Hirokawa pleaded not guilty to five counts — second-degree attempted murder, kidnapping and three counts of first-degree sexual assault — after an alleged Nov. 21 assault on a woman at his Capitol Place residence.

The woman, who as of Thursday was still hospitalized, went into “hemorrhagic shock” and was taken in critical condition to The Queen’s Medical Center, where she received a blood transfusion and required emergency surgery for a wound to her genital area.

On the night of the alleged attack, police found Hirokawa sleeping in his bedroom with a substantial amount of blood on his hands, bedsheets, floor and walls.

After the arraignment and plea hearing, Judge Paul Wong during Hirokawa’s bail hearing denied the state’s motion to revoke Hirokawa’s bail and detain him without bail.

Hirokawa has posted $500,000 bail.

Deputy Attorney General Michelle Puu, who is representing the state in the case, wanted Hirokawa held without bail after arguing that he poses a danger to others and is a flight risk.

She said that while no weapon has been described in the Nov. 21 assault, medical evidence from a trauma surgeon who initially treated the victim suggests one was involved.

“Based on the injury as presented to medical personnel, they believe that a weapon was used to cause the injury,” Puu said. “The victim could not see, as far as we can tell, a weapon being used. However, she was also not looking at her assailant the whole time. … It’s quite possible that a dangerous instrument was being used.”

Puu told Wong that before now she has never filed for a request for no bail, but that this case necessitates it.

Wong denied the state’s motion, instead placing Hirokawa under house arrest at his mother’s home, where he will be monitored by GPS and cannot leave unless it’s to go to court.

Wong said Hirokawa’s “continued presence” at the proceedings indicates he isn’t a flight risk.

“That’s ultimately the basis for bail — it’s to secure his presence,” Wong said.

But if there is new evidence showing that Hirokawa used a weapon in the assault, the state is allowed to refile the motion, Wong said.

Hirokawa’s attorney, Alen Kaneshiro, argued that Hirokawa was aware that he could be facing a life sentence while out on bail but still did not flee.

Kaneshiro also said Hirokawa has decided against fleeing because of all the money and assets he and his family have invested in the case, and because he believes in his innocence.

“There is a story that he has to tell. He wants his day in court,” Kaneshiro told Wong. “He has a defensible case. That’s why he’s remaining in the state of Hawaii.”

Hirokawa, according to a memorandum filed by Kaneshiro, is a lifelong resident of Hawaii and has no prior criminal convictions.

His trial is set for Feb. 8.