Longtime Honolulu sportscaster John Noland died Friday from injuries he sustained when he was assaulted in Chinatown last weekend, his daughter Alana Noland confirmed Friday evening.
While a 58-year-old homeless man was arrested for allegedly attacking Noland, police said Friday that initial indications suggest his critical injuries may have been the result of the fall after he was struck rather than from blows he sustained — “based on his injuries,” police said Friday.
When the former sportscaster was first found by police and emergency services personnel the morning of June 9, “there wasn’t any indication that any criminal activity had occurred,” acting Maj. Walter Ozeki, Honolulu Police Department Criminal Investigations Division, said Friday afternoon at a news conference.
Noland, 60, had been on life support at The Queen’s Medical Center, where he was taken after he was found unresponsive with a head injury on the sidewalk fronting 1153 Maunakea St.
Police arrested Mark A. Coleman on Thursday night on suspicion of second-degree attempted murder in connection with Noland’s attack, and on two counts of criminal contempt of court. Coleman has not been charged.
Officers located Coleman on the 900 block of Maunakea Street, a few blocks makai of where Noland
was found.
Honolulu CrimeStoppers Coordinator Sgt. Chris Kim said police determined Noland was assaulted, after reviewing footage from surveillance video from a nearby business establishment.
It was only during the investigation that police “discovered that the male was actually involved in an altercation … where he was struck several times, he fell and hit his head,” Ozeki said. It did not appear that the victim threw any blows himself, he said.
“Because the victim is unconscious, it’s important for witnesses to come forward in this case,” Ozeki said prior to Noland’s death. “We don’t know at this point whether anyone else was there,” he said. “We do have video evidence that indicates other people might have seen the incident. It was during the early hours in the Chinatown area, so there usually is some traffic there.”
Ozeki said CID doesn’t think robbery was a motive for the crime. “It could have been an afterthought, but again, it’s part of the investigation.”
Ozeki confirmed that a man was arrested in connection with the use of Noland’s credit card.
“It appears to be unrelated to the assault,” he said. “I think that might have just been a crime of opportunity.”
Noland formerly worked at KHON2 and OC16 television stations among others, and at various radio stations.
Less than a week after the attack on Noland, a 44-year-old man was stabbed there Friday morning.
Paramedics responded
to an area near Maunakea
Liquor and Grocery, 1161 Maunakea St., at about
8:45 a.m. EMS said the victim sustained a stab wound to his lower torso, and he was transported in serious condition to a hospital.
The incidents have renewed concerns about safety in the area of Maunakea Street near the intersection with North Pauahi Street, where Noland was found.
Some community members and merchants say the area is known to be unsafe, that many residents steer clear at night and that illegal activity often occurs near the liquor store, which is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
“It’s a problematic spot. The police are well aware of it,” said Dolores Mollring, member of the Downtown/Chinatown Neighborhood Board. “It’s been problematic for many, many years,” she said. “You just have a bunch of people loitering around, 24/7. It’s a dangerous place, especially in the wee hours of the morning,” Mollring said.
In September a deadly shooting occurred near the front of the liquor store, where 34-year-old Isaac
Mamea was gunned down while sitting outside the store at about 11:45 a.m. Sept. 20.
Tiseya E. Puapuaga allegedly shot Mamea multiple times with a handgun before fleeing. An Oahu grand jury in October indicted Puapuaga, also known as Ty Puapuaga, for second-degree murder. He still remains at large.
Chu Lan Shubert-Kwock, president of the Chinatown Business and Community Association, said the area near the liquor store has been considered dangerous for the past two decades.
“We deserve a safer environment,” said Shubert-
Kwock, who also is a member of the Downtown-
Chinatown Neighborhood Board.
Sam Say, owner of M.P. Lei Shop at 1145 Maunakea St., who has worked and lived in Chinatown for almost 20 years, said increased police patrols are needed, but “we don’t have enough police officers.”
Ozeki said the assault on Noland was “an isolated incident” and that there’s nothing to suggest there is a crime wave in the area.
Anyone who may have witnessed the attack against Noland is urged
to call CrimeStoppers at 955-8300.