26 year-old Koa Kaakimaka of Honoka‘a was found guilty of felony Violation of Privacy in the First Degree in Kona Circuit Court stemming from a June 2018 incident.

Prosecutors presented evidence that Kaakimaka, used a cellphone to film a 15 year-old girl showering without her consent. He will return to Court on October 17, 2022 for sentencing. Violation of Privacy in the First Degree is a class C felony offense which carries a maximum penalty of 5 years in prison and also requires registering as a sex offender.

Kaakimaka was charged via Indictment in March of 2021, with a single count of Violation of Privacy in the First Degree (intentionally or knowingly installed or used, or both, in any private place, without the consent of the person or persons entitled to privacy therein, any device for observing, recording, amplifying, and/or broadcasting another person in a stage of undress or sexual activity in that place).

The lead investigator was Officer Landon Takenishi, South Kohala Patrol, Hawai‘i Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Kate Perazich.

“I’m hopeful that this verdict will cause people to think twice before they victimize children,” said Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen in a press release.  He continued, “We are happy with the result and thank the jury for their service. We hope that this verdict affords the victim and her family some sense of justice and sends a clear message to offenders that they will be held accountable for their actions.”

Photo credit: Hawaiʻi County Prosecuting Attorney