Congressional candidate arrested after Maui beach altercation, bail set at $1 million

KIHEI, Maui (HawaiiNewsNow) – Democratic congressional candidate Kirill Basin, 40, was arrested Saturday after a violent altercation at Keawakapu Beach in South Kihei. His bail has been set at $1 million. He faces two counts of first-degree terroristic threatening.

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What police say happened

According to Maui Police Department, the incident began when a 61-year-old man asked Basin to lower the volume of his music. Basin allegedly threatened the man by implying he had a firearm and would shoot the victim’s wife.

A bystander intervened, leading to a physical altercation during which Basin allegedly armed himself with a knife and threatened multiple people before throwing it into the ocean. The knife was later recovered by police.

Video of the incident was widely shared on social media, including by the account HHHNews.

Attorney response

Attorneys Myles Breiner and Brandon Segal represent Basin. Breiner said the case is pending review by the Maui Prosecutor’s Office and had no comment at this time.

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Prior arrests and restraining orders

Police say Basin has been arrested for other incidents of assault and property damage since May. Several people have taken out temporary restraining orders against him, including Maui County Councilman Thomas Cook, who said he was worried about his personal safety and for his staff after Basin disrupted a meeting in May. Cook said Basin “became aggressive and confrontational” and “threatened violence against the police” and a council ambassador.

Two days later, on May 29, reports circulated that Basin “brandished a weapon in a county office building in a confrontation with county employees.”

Congressmember responds

In a statement, Congressmember Jill Tokuda said: “Violence has no place in our communities or in public service. Anyone holding or seeking office, at any level of government, should be held to a higher standard. Our communities deserve leaders who bring people together, not those who contribute to further division or violence.”

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