Agent says Hawaii
airman confessed

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By Gregg K. Kakesako
gkakesako@starbulletin.com

A Big Island Air Force jet mechanic has confessed to killing a fellow airman in Okinawa in November, according to a military investigator.

At a six-hour pretrial hearing Monday at Kadena Air Force Station, Air Force Special Agent Clifford Minor testified that Airman 1st Class Damien G. Kawai initially told investigators he had "no idea" how Airman 1st Class Charles F. Eskew died on Nov. 19 in the base's barracks.

However, a day later, Kawai, a 2000 Pahoa High School graduate, recanted and told investigators he killed Eskew, Minor said.

He testified at Kawai's Article 32 hearing, which is similar to a grand jury. His testimony is reported in today's edition of Pacific Stars and Stripes.

Kawai, 19, also is charged with the theft of some of Eskew's belongings and impeding investigators.

The Stars and Stripes reported that Minor said Kawai wrote in a statement that he put Visine eye drops in Eskew's beer, causing Eskew to vomit and have difficulty breathing. Minor said Kawai also admitted putting a pillow over Eskew's face several times before putting his hands around Eskew's neck. Then Kawai went to his room to get a knife to cut Eskew's arms, Minor said.

Minor said Kawai told investigators he wanted the death to look like a suicide.

Airman 1st Class Anthony Caluya testified that Kawai told him, "I did it, I put poison in that fool's [Eskew's] drink."

Caluya said he didn't believe Kawai and thought he was just "being silly."

Airman 1st Class Seth Paulin said he knew Kawai wanted to murder Eskew, but he was too scared to alert authorities.

Based on the evidence presented at Monday's hearing, investigating officer Maj. Steve Thompson may recommend a court-martial. The maximum sentence Kawai could face if court-martialed on murder charges is the death penalty.