HILO, HI — 43-year-old Kole Race-Joaquin of Honokaʻa has been arrested in connection with the theft of a Jeep Gladiator reported stolen on December 18, 2025.
Puna patrol officers recovered the vehicle on March 12 and took Race-Joaquin into custody. The Jeep had been reported stolen while parked outside a residence on Pukana Street in Hilo.
Race-Joaquin made his initial court appearance in Hilo District Court on Monday, where bail was set at $70,000. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Wednesday, March 18.
He faces charges of first-degree theft and first-degree unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle. First-degree theft is classified as a Class B felony, carrying a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. Conviction would include a mandatory prison term, with no eligibility for probation.
The charges are allegations, and Race-Joaquin is presumed innocent until proven guilty. The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Prosecuting Attorneys Patrick Muñoz and Elyssa Correia Keltner.
