Hawaiian musician pleads not guilty to sex assault, kidnapping
JOHN BERGER / JBERGER@STARADVERTISER.COM
Keoki Kahumoku performed at the Hawaii State Art Museum in January 2009. Kahumoku, of Hilo, was indicted by a grand jury on two counts of first-degree sexual assault and two counts of kidnapping.
HILO >> A Hawaiian musician has pleaded not guilty to charges that he restrained and sexually assaulted a woman in 2015.
Keoki Kahumoku appeared before Hilo Circuit Judge Glenn Hara on Wednesday to face two counts of first-degree sexual assault and two counts of kidnapping, The Hawaii Tribune-Herald reported.
The 46-year-old spoke softly while answering a series of routine questions from the judge, and said “I am a U.S. citizen” when Hara read a required immigration advisory statement.
Hara maintained Kahumoku’s bail at $150,000. If Kahumoku posts bail, Hara said he is prevented from contacting the alleged victim and must stay at least 100 yards away from her home and workplace.
A Kona grand jury indicted Kahumoku on Tuesday. The assaults allegedly took place in Kau on the Big Island in Kau in May 2015. He was arrested at Hilo Medical Center on Tuesday.
Hara ordered Kahumoku to appear for trial on April 11 before Kona Circuit Judge Ronald Ibarra.
According to Kahumoku’s website, he is a slack key guitarist, ukulele performer and teacher. He has recorded numerous CDs solo and with other Hawaiian artists and founded the nonprofit Center for Hawaiian Music Studies. It provides music instruction and cultural opportunities to local youth, the website said.
35 responses to “Hawaiian musician pleads not guilty to sex assault, kidnapping”
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Are you saying this is news because he is Hawaiian? Or because he is a Hawaiian musician? Why is this relevant to the story? It seems that you are racially categorizing him in an effort to get clicks. Terrible. Would you say German musician? Samoan musician? Really terrible.
Race should be no part of this. Just say he is a musician charged with terrible crimes. Then let the legal process be carried out.
He is a musician who plays Hawaiian Music. Why does it always have to imply that race had a motive?
but it was not expressed that way
Interesting to note that Hawaii News Now has the same story with the headline Hawaii Musician… That is much better, because it’s a place, not a race.
What did it say before?
Bad phrasing. The way I took it is he is a Hawaiian MUSIC musician. For all you race-baiters out there who are trying to turn this into a racial issue, I think you’ve been paying way too much attention to contrived racial issues on the mainland. Get a grip, and get some time on the pond before jumping to conclusions.
IRT allie, there are bad people everywhere, I hope you let this guy into your life. Please take him in and show him what PC is all about
This is Hawaii, and he is a Hawaiian musician. Why does somebody always grasp at straws to pull up the “race card”?? Get over it.
So an Alternative Punk band playing in an Irish bar Downtown is a Hawaiian group according to your definition?
Only if they play “Tiny Bubbles”.
you read it wrong..the title doesn’t mean he is hawaiian..it means he’s a hawaiian musician
Very sad, given that he was not arrested tells me this is another Trump style witch hunt for some reason against this musician. For all we know is, the guy could be 100% innocent. Not enough details published to make any determination of any sort. Shame on the SA for making this front page news and shaming someone before even presenting enough details to the public.
realative. You know he isn’t a saint. I’m surprised he doesn’t have a criminal history.
Why do you have to give the name and picture of the accused? This is not the America I use to know. It is now guilty for being accused.
relative
Seen this earlier. The Hawaiian part caught my eyes. Yup, SA is playing that card. Use it to sell papers and ADVERTISEMENT. Longs,safeway,macy,target,yada,yada.even uses the online bot to throw crap ads at you. Ever try to hit “comments” and get re directed to ads. I did not want to know about Tiffany Trump!
Nanakuli makes some sense today.
It’s early. Give him time.
he may not be as sober later in the day!
Glad you decided to get substance abuse help, I can see it’s working already. Now only to get you to pay more taxes, where did you say you live again? I want to make sure your idol Kirk, taxes the $h!t out of you!
Wow, just air his dirty drug and tax laundry out in public. I thought you defended his 100% innocence yesterday? Do you know what an indictment is? The grand jury has enough evidence to go forward with a trial. That is why his name and face are in the newspaper.
Nice guitar.
Nice hat. Matches the Hawaiian ‘chip on the shoulder,’ as many of these comments are showing.
His eyes don’t look like the eyes of any native Hawaiian I know in this photography but hey anyone can claim the term Hawaiian describes who they are. A Heavily Chinese looking guy with a Chinese American name was able to be considered under the category Hawaiian music back in the day. just saying. it’s a kind of commercial code, Hawaiian, that gets you a paying gig, especially slack key. It’s entertainment for the tourist dollar.
mythman is correct. the musician is part-white and part-Asian. Maybe 20% Hawaiin. I have never met anyone who is pure Hawaiian out here. No one close to it actually.
He has Hawaiian parent
You obviously don’t live here that our you’ve never been in NanakuliBosse’s neighborhood.
Case in point: Peter Moon (or does anyone here even REMEMBER Peter Moon?).
Po ho this guy.
It is a category not a race. Jazz musician, rock musician. relax.
Then Hawaiian music entertainer should suffice. Allie it’s getting late, I need some pizza with my beer. Stay Thirsty,mi amigo!
well, now he can get his guitar strummed by bubbah in the slammer
as long as it is not slack key..
he’s being framed………..