Two Good Samaritans killed recently when they reportedly tried to stop crimes in progress had high levels of alcohol in their systems when they died, according to autopsy tests.

Steven Wilcox, 19, stabbed to death June 8 when he tried to intervene in a domestic dispute outside a Kane'ohe bar, had a blood alcohol level of 0.218 — nearly three times the legal limit for operating a motor vehicle, according to Honolulu Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kanthi De Alwis.

Ned Nakoa, 58, killed when he tried to stop a purse-snatching attempt in Waikiki May 17, had a blood alcohol level of 0.217, De Alwis reported.

When reached last week, Gwen Kailihiwa, mother of Wilcox, declined comment on the test results, as did Kalani Nakoa, brother of Ned Nakoa.

Jim Fulton, executive assistant to Prosecuting Attorney Peter Carlisle, declined comment.

Keith Shigetomi, defense lawyer for Kelii Acasia, the man accused of killing Nakoa, was surprised to learn of the victim's level of intoxication.

"That will definitely have a bearing on the case," he said, although "it's a little too early to say what effect it will have."

"But there are a lot of unanswered questions about what happened that night," he continued. "There are witnesses who are now contradicting what the state is saying about Mr. Nakoa's conduct."

Acasia, 19, and co-defendant Benjamin Pada, 18, allegedly attacked a couple on Waikiki Beach and stole the woman's purse, according to court records.

The woman's companion, a Marine stationed here, chased the pair and fought with them on the sidewalk at Kalakaua and Paoakalani avenues. Nakoa intervened, trying to stop the fight, and was allegedly punched to the ground and then kicked, according to police reports.

Acasia has been charged with murder. Pada has been charged with assault and robbery. Both have pleaded not guilty.

Trial in the case originally was set to begin later this month but will be rescheduled later in the year, Shigetomi said.

In the Wilcox case, the victim allegedly was stabbed when he tried to intercede in a domestic dispute in the parking lot outside Club Komo Mai in Kane'ohe.

Charged with murdering Wilcox is Glen J.K. Keohokapu, 35, of Waimanalo.

Keohokapu and his wife, Kaui, were inside the bar and allegedly began arguing in the parking lot, according to police reports.

Witnesses told police that Wilcox had exchanged words with Keohokapu inside the bar and was standing to one side in the parking lot when another man and woman tried to break up the argument between the Keohokapus.

One witness said Keohokapu attacked Wilcox after the younger man said, "That's one female," to Keohokapu, according to police reports.

Keohokapu allegedly lunged at Wilcox with a knife and fatally stabbed him in the chest.

The Honolulu Liquor Commission has cited Club Komo Mai for serving liquor to the underage Wilcox. The offense carries a possible fine of $2,000 or suspension/revocation of the liquor license.

A hearing on that case began Thursday and will continue in two weeks, said commission administrator Dewey Kim Jr.

Benjamin Ignacio, defense attorney for Keohokapu, could not be reached for comment.

State Sen. Fred Hemmings, R-25th (Kailua, Waimanalo, Portlock, Hawai'i Kai), sponsor of a bill to increase criminal penalties for injury of a Good Samaritan, said that the sobriety or intoxication of the victim is irrelevant.

When a Good Samaritan is injured, there should be an increased punishment, he said.

"It's pathetically sad that our society has become so brutal and complacent that a normal sober citizen won't intercede on behalf of a crime victim," Hemmings said.

The fact that Wilcox was under the legal drinking age also should have no bearing on the case, said the senator.

Hemmings' bill was passed by the House and Senate during the past legislative session, but was held up in conference committee.

Critics expressed concern that the measure could protect people who jump into fights or justify assaults by saying they meant to help others.

House Judiciary Committee chairman Rep. Tommy Waters, D-51st (Lanikai, Waimanalo), who earlier expressed concerns about the bill's definition of a Good Samaritan, was unavailable for comment.