WAILUA — One of two firefighters involved in a fight at Kintaros last month is on the mend, but still hasn’t returned to work. One of those involved, a 46-year-old firefighter, was knocked unconscious Dec. 21 in the parking lot
WAILUA — One of two firefighters involved in a fight at Kintaros last month is on the mend, but still hasn’t returned to work.
One of those involved, a 46-year-old firefighter, was knocked unconscious Dec. 21 in the parking lot at the Japanese restaurant. He was airlifted to Straub Clinic and Hospital on O‘ahu. He has since been released, according to hospital personnel.
The altercation was reported to dispatch as an assault in progress at 10:45 p.m. that night. Three police cars responded, including a supervisor. Medical support also was called to the scene.
Fellow firefighter Kevin Kekoa Souza, 40, was arrested as a result of the altercation, for which he has been charged with second-degree assault.
Kaua‘i Police Department Chief Darryl Perry said police handled the incident “just like any other assault case.”
Souza was taken to the hospital before he was arrested, a standard procedure when a suspect has injuries.
He bailed out the next day.
Fire Chief Robert Westerman refused to comment on the fight; however, Mary Daubert, county spokeswoman, said both men, county employees, were off-duty at the time of the incident.
Daubert also said the get-together wasn’t a KFD Christmas party, as had been rumored, but that it was a private retirement party.
Daubert couldn’t comment on whether any kind of disciplinary action would be taken against Souza, as that is considered a personnel issue.
She reiterated that this particular incident is viewed as having occurred between two men, not county employees.
“Even though they’re county employees, it is inappropriate for me to comment further because it didn’t happen during a county function.”
A criminal-history records search determined Souza does not have a violent criminal history.
Souza is scheduled to appear in court on the second-degree assault charges on Feb. 6 in Courtroom 2.
• Amanda C. Gregg, assistant editor/staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 252) or agregg@kauaipubco.com.
