A Samoan man charged with second degree murder in Hawaii, Ishmael Piula Luavasa, has been denied bail.
He is accused of beating a visitor to death in Waikiki on November 8.
Circuit Court Judge Ronald Johnson denied bail for the defendant when he appeared in court Thursday.
According to police, Luavasa beat the 50-year-old man without provocation in front of the Waikiki Beachside Hostel on Lemon Road Saturday, Nov. 8, just before 12:30 a.m.
Judge Johnson said, “After the complaining witness was on the ground, it’s alleged that he continued beating him until he lay motionless and then walked away.
“This was a brutal assault, unprovoked, which indicates to the court that the defendant is a significant danger to any other person in the community and a flight risk.”
Johnson said the brutality and nature of his crime would pose a risk to the public if he were released on bail.
The case has prompted state lawmakers and tourism industry leaders to reassure the public that the area is safe.
“He has committed a serious crime, and the court finds at the current time there are no terms and conditions of bail which will address the flight risk or his dangerousness that have been presented to the court,” Johnson said.
