Media release: Hawaii County Police Dept.

A Puna man has been charged with assault after his neighbor went to the hospital with substantial injuries to his face and body.

at 2:49 a.m. Monday (February 17), South Hilo Patrol officers responded to Hilo Medical Center, where a 47-year-old man was being treated for injuries reportedly received by his neighbor at the victim’s Waa Waa home on Pakala Road shortly before midnight Sunday.

At 8:50 a.m. Monday, police arrested 28-year-old Kiel Brende of Waa Waa. He was taken to the Hilo police cellblock on suspicion of assault while detectives from the Area I Criminal Investigations Section continued the investigation.

At 3:30 p.m. Monday, detectives charged Brende with second-degree assault. His bail was set at $10,000. He remained at the cellblock until his initial court appearance Tuesday (February 18).