WAILUKU – A judge set bail at $150,000 Tuesday for a man charged with attempted murder in connection with an assault of an off-duty police officer at Kihei Kalama Village last year.
Jordan Finau, 21, had been held without bail after being arrested in December on an indictment charging him with second-degree attempted murder, fourth-degree criminal property damage and two counts of third-degree assault. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The officer was assaulted in the early morning of Nov. 27 at the complex, which is also known as the Kihei Triangle.
At a court hearing in February, Deputy Prosecutor Carson Tani said surveillance video showed the officer walking in front of the Dog & Duck Irish Pub when he was assaulted “for no reason,” starting when Finau took the officer to the ground and began punching him.
Co-defendant Tomasi Caones Paahana, 28, of Wailuku joined in to beat the officer until he was unconscious and suffered life-threatening injuries, Tani said. He asked that Finau continue to be held without bail.
In asking for bail to be set in Finau’s case, his attorney, Mark Kawata, said in a motion that Finau has no prior criminal history and an “exemplary” record.
The Maui native has a wife and son and had been working at the family business for two years, according to the motion.
In setting bail at $150,000, 2nd Circuit Judge Kelsey Kawano said he considered factors including Finau’s lack of criminal convictions for serious offenses and his “significant family ties.”
In a declaration filed in court, his parents agreed to serve as sponsors if Finau were released.
“That support was a significant factor in the court’s decision because this young man is in need to some severe supervision,” Kawano said. “He’s an adult, but according to what I’m seeing before me, he’s making bad decisions. He doesn’t possess any good judgment and he needs the guidance of other persons.”
If Finau doesn’t comply with requirements of his release, the family would lose any bond posted, Kawano said.
As requirements of his release on bail, Finau was ordered not to use or possess illegal drugs or alcohol and to live at the family residence in Makawao. He also was ordered to continue working for Friendly Tree Service of Maui and abide by a curfew from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Finau was ordered to stay away from Kihei Kalama Village and the surrounding block, including Kalama Park and Kihei Town Center. He was ordered to have no contact with the victim and co-defendant Caones Paahana, who is being held without bail at the Maui Community Correctional Center.
In another case, Finau and Caones Paahana are charged with second-degree assault of a man on Sept. 27 at Kihei Kalama Village. Bail was set at $50,000 for Finau in that case.
* Lila Fujimoto can be reached at lfujimoto@mauinews.com.
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