LIHUE — A day after police announced they had arrested a suspect in connection to an attack on several members of a visiting youth group, a victim of the alleged assault said more assailants should be apprehended. Tim Corcoran, 60,
LIHUE — A day after police announced they had arrested a suspect in connection to an attack on several members of a visiting youth group, a victim of the alleged assault said more assailants should be apprehended.
Tim Corcoran, 60, was leading the California-based youth group, and is one of several victims in the May 30 attack near Hanalei Pier and was punched in the eye by a man that police believe to be 20-year-old Iona Keola Loi, of Kapaa.
“I’m glad they arrested him,” Tim Corcoran said Wednesday. “I hope he goes to jail for a long time.”
Loi was arrested Thursday on two counts of third-degree assault, which is a misdemeanor, and one count of harassment. He posted $450 bail and was released pending a court appearance, which has been scheduled for Aug. 19.
Loi didn’t respond to multiple attempts to reach him by The Garden Island.
In addition to Corcoran, an eighth-grade boy and a male chaperone said they were punched during the altercation and a female chaperone was spat on when she tried to intervene.
Police are treating Loi as the only assault suspect at this time, although some witnesses described the situation as a mob scene.
On Tuesday, Corcoran said police are downplaying the event, and said there were several other people who acted violently.
There were “probably eight of them” who were involved in the actual physical assault, Corcoran said, although he added that some of the bystanders tried to break up the scene.
Corcoran also said there has been very little communication from the police about the investigation; he was not even aware an arrest had been made until he was contacted by The Garden Island for comment.
Kauai Police Department spokeswoman Sarah Blane said that at this time, police believe they have the main suspect.
“However, it’s important to note that the case remains under police investigation and anyone wishing to provide additional information is urged to contact police,” she said.
Around three weeks after the assault, two males were arrested for disorderly conduct and harassment in a separate June 16 incident at the pier, according to police. Witnesses described the pair as acting intoxicated and threatening people.
Allen Brian Alapai, 32, posted bail and has a July 29 court date. Ikaika Daniel Hebron-Woodward, 22, had an initial court appearance on June 19 and his bail was increased to $5,000 because he has another pending case. His next court hearing is set for Aug. 11.
