Suspect in baseball bat assault now faces federal charges
A Waianae man awaiting trial in state court for the baseball bat beating of two men acting as security at an illegal gambling operation has been indicted on federal charges.
Robert Kaialau III, a former riflery coach at Kapolei High School, was indicted along with 10 others for racketeering involving violent crime and three counts of assault with a dangerous weapon.
The federal indictment stemmed from bat assaults on two people on July 30, 2003, at a Young Street game room and two others on Aug. 3, 2003, at a Kapiolani Boulevard location, according to the Feb. 28 indictment unsealed recently.
Kaialau was expected to appear in U.S. District Court today for his first court appearance. The government has asked that he be detained without bail.
The indictment alleges Kaialau was the leader of a gambling enterprise that "promoted a climate of fear and intimidation in the community through threats of economic harm and violence."
Their organization generated income by operating and owning illegal gambling businesses.
Indicted along with Kaialau were Hee Song Yoo, also known as Korean Johnny; Sung Il Yo, also known as Scotty; Joon Woo Lee, also known as Mike; Tamafaiga Soi, also known as Flex; Christopher J. Paau; Solomon M. York; George Joe Esene; Richard P. Kamai Jr.; Nepo T. Leutu; and Keaka N. Kamai.
The case Kaialau was charged with in state court also involved a July 30, 2003, baseball bat beating at a Young Street game room, his attorney in that case confirmed. He was to go to trial in that case next month as the sole defendant after co-defendant Solomona Nakagawa died in April 2005, apparently of natural causes.
Honolulu police allege the two showed up at the gambling house wearing dark T-shirts with "HPD" and "POLICE" stenciled on the front and back and severely beat two men who had been hired as security guards for the gambling operation.