The well-known “edible event of the year” turned ugly Sunday, as a fracas between several attendees escalated when spectators began kicking and hitting Kaua‘i police. Four law enforcement officials responded to a 2:30 p.m. call describing an assault in progress
The well-known “edible event of the year” turned ugly Sunday, as a fracas between several attendees escalated when spectators began kicking and hitting Kaua‘i police.
Four law enforcement officials responded to a 2:30 p.m. call describing an assault in progress at the Rotary Club’s annual “Taste of Hawai‘i” event at the Smith’s Tropical Paradise Gardens in Kapa‘a.
But when police began to arrest one of the suspects involved, some officers were sucker punched and hit from behind, Assistant Chief Roy Asher said.
“One of our officers was trying to handcuff a suspect and someone kicked him in the ribs,” Asher said.
That’s when things started to take a turn for the worse.
“Everything happened so fast and furious,” he said.
Jakki Nelson, general manager for the Olympic Cafe, said she witnessed an attendee spit on a police officer.
“It was pretty bad,” she said. “Especially if it can ruin an event like this.”
After getting the call that a fight was in progress, police arrested Le Beau Iiwi Kanaka Iimi Ike Lagmay, 23, of Lihu‘e, on two counts of first-degree assault on a police officer, a Class C felony, second-degree terroristic threatening, resisting arrest and harassment.
His girlfriend, who witnesses spotted chasing cops and screaming, was arrested for second-degree criminal trespassing and obstructing government operations for allegedly refusing to leave the property and getting in the way of officers.
Yet what began as a somewhat routine call for the event, which prides itself on featuring a smorgasbord of drinks and delicacies quickly grew more intense as mobs of people gawked and pushed their way around the fight, resulted in the immediate need for backup officers, Asher said.
“This was an unfortunate incident that was handled quickly and efficiently by the police, who responded immediately to our call and whose presence we much appreciated,” said Taste of Hawaii Chair Paula O’Very-Saylor, in an e-mail.
Several attendees witnessed more officers arrive.
Seven more police arrived on-scene around 3:30 p.m., which meant that officers who would otherwise be monitoring the rest of the island were taken out of their sectors, Asher said.
“Whenever we have to do that, it puts the rest of the island at risk,” Asher said.
An estimated 2,000 people purchased tickets for the event, which has, for 19 years, featured pupu and alcohol from dozens of local restaurants, according to the Rotary Club of Kapa‘a Web site.
“We understand the participants (in the scuffle), the young man who was arrested and the one who filed the report, had an ongoing animosity toward each other, with this kind of incident occurring in the past,” O’Very-Saylor states in the e-mail. “The vast majority of the 2,500 people who attended and volunteered at Taste of Hawaii were respectful to each other and had a wonderful day while helping raise money for charitable causes.”
A $75 ticket buys an unlimited amount of food and drink.
That highlight of the event might have to be revisited, Asher said, now that such an incident has shown how potentially dangerous it can be.
“It’s a shame. Now we’re going to have to limit consumption to curtail incidents like this,” he said.
In past years, off-duty police in uniform have maintained a presence at the event, however, this year officers didn’t arrive until they were called through dispatch.
“During the 19 years we have held Taste of Hawaii, we have had an extremely fun-filled and safe event,” O’Very-Saylor states.
Police are asking for residents’ help in identifying those who joined in the fight and assaulted officers.
As in any criminal case, the Kaua‘i Police Department and Crimestoppers will give a reward to those with information that could lead to an arrest.
Asher said photographs taken with cell phone cameras or testimony from witnesses who can identify suspects could help prevent similar cases from happening in the future.
Though rumors swirled that an attendee captured the incident on videotape, at press time, that could not be confirmed.
Call Crimestoppers, 241-1887, Detective Carl Oliver, 241-1682 or Acting Assistant Chief Ale Quibilan at 241-1633 to provide information.
• Amanda C. Gregg, assistant editor/staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 252) or agregg@kauaipubco.com.
