September 2, 2015

A state jury deliberated for less than an hour yesterday before finding Aaron Kaehu guilty of sexually assaulting a female visitor from Canada last year, Prosecuting Attorney Keith M. Kaneshiro announced.

Kaehu was charged with sex assault in the first degree, a Class A felony. He faces a 20-year prison term when he is sentenced December 9 by Judge Dexter Del Rosario.

Kaehu, 38, is a career criminal with 44 arrests and 22 convictions, including 10 felony arrests and five convictions.

In September 2014, the woman was walking along Kalanianaole Highway in Waimanalo when Kaehu approached and struck up a conversation. Kaehu offered to show the woman around the area but instead forced her into bushes near the beach, threatened to beat her with a rock and then raped her.

The woman returned from Canada and provided testimony that helped convict Kaehu.

“The prosecutor’s office salutes the victim’s courage,” Kaneshiro said. “I am happy that we were able to deliver justice on her behalf.”

Deputy prosecutor Victoria Chang took the case to trial.