LIHU’E — A former Kaua‘i County Council candidate, who allegedly abused a teenage family member earlier this year, appeared in Fifth Circuit Court on Tuesday, at which a date was set for him to either accept a guilty plea or head to trial.
Wally Nishimura, who ran for county council in 2018 and 2020, has been charged by the state of Hawai‘i with two counts of physical abuse, according to court records filed on June 13.
According to court records, on May 1, 2023, the 32-year-old physically abused a teenage family or household member “intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly.”
The unnamed victim was approximately 15 years old at the time of the incident. The physical abuse was also stated to have occurred in the presence of another minor family member who was approximately 13 years old at the time.
The incident led to Nishimura being charged with a class C felony offense for the abuse of family or household members in the presence of a minor under 14 years old, as well as a misdemeanor for the abuse itself, pursuant to sections 709-906 of Hawai‘i Revised Statutes.
According to Hawai‘i Revised Statutes, class C felonies carry a maximum prison sentence of five years. His bail at the time of arrest in June was set at $5,000. He was released on a surety bond.
On Tuesday, Nishimura appeared in court with his attorney, Craig De Costa, for a “change of plea” proceeding. He first entered a not guilty plea on June 27, according to court records.
“We did receive a plea offer,” said De Costa during court proceedings. “I’ve discussed it in part with Mr. Nishimura. We’d like time to come to consider it,” he said, adding they have until Oct. 30 to consider the offer.
The details of the plea offer were not stated in court, but Fifth Circuit Court Chief Judge Randal Valenciano advised Nishimura to work with his attorney.
“There’s some decisions you need to make,” he said before the courtroom moved on to another case.
The court record does not state Nishimura’s exact relationship with the alleged victims. The Garden Island previously reported Nishimura had grown up on Kaua‘i and graduated from Kapa‘a High School.
Nishimura also faced accusations of domestic abuse at around the same time the alleged abuse happened this year, according to court documents. A domestic abuse claim was filed on May 3, but the case was terminated soon after that time.
Nishimura is next expected to appear in court for either a change of plea or trial-setting hearing on Oct. 24 at 8 a.m.
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Emma Grunwald, reporter, can be reached at 808-652-0638 or egrunwald@thegardenisland.com.
That guy flunk out like Bernard Carvalho flunked out of high school. How can he pay any legitimate bills? So he heading to court. And it’s a race issue. He is going against whites being a Japanese. He never did play any sports. Like college. If he did play sports in college, he would have gotten in like Ross Kagawa. It’s culture.
Culture: Hawai’i. Locals. Fighting. A manifestation of anything that is accomplished in Hawai’i. Like sports. This is a strong issue in Hawwi’i. I never heard of Wally Nishimura. But I have heard of Bernard Carvalho. Sports guy at UH football in 1979. And I have heard of Ross Kagawa. UH baseball guy 1987. Played under Les Murakami. This is the culture we live in. Hawai’i.
So he is heading to court. Wally. Tough choices. But now what? I don’t know.
Ask the judge to think. If you’re Wally’s lawyer.
Bernard Carvalho
Ross Kagawa
Billy De costa
Ron Kouchi
Mel Rapozo
These men flunked out of high school too. Yet they are part of the community government. I plead forgiveness from them. They’re cool.
Reasoning. Should work.
This is really revealing news. All the names I just mentioned here, are people in county government who aren’t getting paid or making a living wage. Supported by family. Whoa…
So no income to their tenure. Wow. That means they are not included in the decision making process.
Sounds good.
One more statistics to bring out. Your company of believers comes from the 8.6% to 10% sports fans all their life like Bernard Carvalho or Mel Rapozo was or is like. And the other names I mentioned.
So that means if you have no degree to show for like them, you are not into politics or getting paid. Just like they’re not getting paid.
If guilty, 5 years in prison. Do you have a degree? College. That’s the deciding factor of innocence. Truthfully told. But so it is in America. Set free by education.
Three-way speaker
Abuse or discipline ?? big difference, these laws these days don’t allow us parents or adults discipline our children. If the minor had bruises and cuts then maybe I will agree abuse.
Final verdict if I’m the judge. Guilty because the judge is a filopino. Nishimura is a Japanese. Already get too much hypocrites in government. Dummies.
So that is my opinion on this racism deal and case.
Three-way speaker
Well here is my final plead bargain if I’m Craig De Costa. You pay me $95,000 dollars, and I’ll set you free as case dismissed by default. Not sufficient enough of a witness. Nobody proved him guilty by association. Or something like it.
Why racism? In the case. Here you have a Japanese and somewhat white in color skin. All the Japanese in government are same color and texture skin. You have also a filopino judge. Who made it through the ranks as judge. He being from a light color skin. Now to fairly dark color skin. Racism has its roots here.
Hawaii is racism here. Texture and color. The color in Hawai’i runs deep. This case should have not gone this far. Now racism takes its place. Cannot avoid.
What is your talent? Mines is in setting up subwoofers, head units, speakers, anything in car audio. I have been doing it since 1979. It gives me great pleasure to beat out athletics and politics. I just concentrate on car audio, and I know I win.
What is your talent? I don’t know you know. Some view things differently.
Because I hate all athleticss. They’re failures. I’m from the 1980s. And I speak for all students who have a diploma.
I’m from Waimea High School. You don’t need a gym. You’re too lemon. I don’t care about your acolodes. I don’t want it. You keep it. Because you’re stupid. Athletics.
Let’s just say being from a small island, I know all the players involved in the case. Except for Wally.
So if we were to compare Wally as a character witness with your so called “crooked” politicians, i being Craig De Costa, ask for $95,000 dollars for civil lawsuit against him. Unless he pays it, 5 years in prison. No parole. Truth.
Three-way speaker
I like surfing. I surf anywhere. I surf with my female partner. She’s been surfing since high school. I wouldn’t want anyone to violate her. This case is similar. I’ve got asked often is that your wife? I say yes. Why? Because she looks fit and you look like a nerd only surfing. She is. A mainland girl moved here. She works part time. But that’s all she does. I would not want nobody to violate her. So I’m for her. She thinks racism exist. But with only the few. She is a hoale surfer. That’s her story. Guilty too.