Hilo Man Charged With Attempted Second-Degree Murder After Allegedly Hammering Father

Kevin Cuaresma, 48, of Hilo turned himself in to police and was charged with attempted second-degree murder after allegedly striking his 68-year-old father, Glen Cuaresma, in the head with a wooden hammer. The alleged attack occurred on February 3, 2026, and prompted a criminal charge that has drawn attention to family safety in the Hilo area.

Court records list the weapon as a wooden hammer and identify Glen Cuaresma as the victim. Authorities arrested Kevin Cuaresma following his surrender to law enforcement, and prosecutors have filed the attempted second-degree murder charge. Further details about the motive, the elder’s medical condition after the incident, and any prior family history were not released in initial records.

The case interrupts the calm of neighborhoods where multi-generational households are common and raises immediate concerns about elder safety and domestic conflict in Big Island County. For many Hilo residents, incidents of severe family violence are jarring because they cut across the islands’ close-knit social fabric and the expectation that ohana members look out for one another. Local neighbors and community leaders often rely on informal networks to support vulnerable residents; a violent incident inside a home puts pressure on those networks and on county services to respond.

Law enforcement and social services will play central roles as the case proceeds through the criminal justice system. The attempted second-degree murder charge makes this matter a felony case that will be handled by county prosecutors. Residents can expect court filings and possible hearings in the near term as the judicial process unfolds.

Beyond the immediate legal steps, the incident highlights broader questions for Big Island County: how to strengthen supports for families under stress, how to ensure timely intervention when domestic situations escalate, and how local agencies coordinate care for older adults who may be at risk. Community groups and service providers that work with seniors and families may see an uptick in requests for help following this case.

For now, Hilo residents will be watching court developments and awaiting more information about Glen Cuaresma’s condition and the next steps prosecutors take against Kevin Cuaresma. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of neighbor vigilance and the need for clear local pathways to report and respond to family violence.