Third Suspect Arrested, Charged in Feb. 18-19 Hilo Business Burglaries

Hawaii County prosecutors announced the arrest and charging of 25-year-old Elika Akamai Nohoomakeaka Keeki Perry of Hilo in a string of business burglaries tied to incidents at Pono’s Used Cars, Prince Kūhiō Plaza and Long’s Drugs during Feb. 18-19, 2026. Authorities allege the Feb. 18 theft at Pono’s Used Cars included an electric motor scooter and tools; on Feb. 19 the Body Art kiosk at Prince Kūhiō Plaza had a cash register stolen and Long’s Drugs suffered forced entry that damaged an ATM and safe and resulted in numerous keys taken.

Perry faces multiple felony counts that prosecutors describe to include two counts of second-degree burglary, possession of burglary tools, second-degree property damage, theft charges across second through fourth degrees, and habitual property crime. The most serious counts alleged against Perry are Class C felonies that carry up to five years in prison. County Prosecutor Kelden Waltjen announced the charge filing; prosecutors have filed notice that, if convicted as charged, Perry could face mandatory prison time and be ineligible for probation.

Conflicting court figures remain public in different filings and appearances. Reports show Perry made an initial appearance in Hilo District Court on Feb. 26 where bail was reportedly kept at $110,000 and a preliminary hearing was set for March 2. Separate charging documents and a bench warrant cite a bail figure of $260,000 with an information complaint, and authorities list an official March 1 announcement of Perry’s arrest and charge. The Hilo District Court docket and the prosecutor’s office are the definitive records to reconcile which bail amount and filing are current.

Two other Hilo men arrested earlier in the case remain under prosecution. Haoli Kanawaliwali Santos, 29, of Hilo, is charged with multiple counts that include three counts of second-degree burglary and a mix of criminal property damage and theft counts; charging language varies across filings and includes a promoting a dangerous drug in the third degree allegation or methamphetamine possession allegation. Initial bail was reported at $131,000, but Judge Jeffrey Hawk released Santos on supervised release over prosecutors’ objections; a preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 9. Hunta Santos, 24, of Hilo, faces second-degree burglary and second-degree theft counts, had initial bail listed at $20,000 and was likewise released on supervised release with a return date of March 9.

The felony investigation was initiated by South Hilo Patrol and handled by the Crime Reduction Unit, Area I Criminal Investigation Section of the Hawai‘i Police Department. Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Patrick Muñoz is named in filings as prosecuting the Santos cases. Authorities remind the public that the charges are allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. Anyone with information about the incidents is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 808-961-8300. Preliminary hearings are set for March 2 for Perry and March 9 for the Santos defendants, and court filings will determine the final charge counts and current bail orders.