Paul Kaeo, who is accused of beating another man to death Friday night in Ma'ili, made his initial appearance in court yesterday.

Kaeo, 44, is charged with second-degree murder in the death of 49-year-old Charles Kahumoku Jr.

Kahumoku was sitting in his parked truck waiting to pick up his girlfriend, Kaeo's estranged wife Debbie, when Kaeo allegedly beat Kahumoku with a 2-foot-long metal rod.

Kahumoku was taken to the Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center, where he was pronounced dead.

According to a police affidavit, Debbie Kaeo was walking toward Kahumoku's truck when Paul Kaeo pushed her down and headed for the truck.

A witness told police he saw Kaeo standing in the open driver's side of the truck, holding a metal bar in both hands and making jabbing motions.