My understanding..
is that at the time of the home invasion there wasn't any actual cockfighting going on, at least my reading of the fairly detail sparse reporting indicates that.
This 'arrest the guy left standing' protocol is pretty standard for HPD. A case not long ago involving a guy defending his abode with a knife illustrates that very well. Guy and his fiance were outside their apartment (front door opens to the parking area) when a person unknown (BG) to them approaches and starts agressive/unwanted verbal barrage and moves toward them. They retreated into their abode, called HPD. By the time HPD shows up the BG has disappeared into the surrounding area. Police leave.
Couple are again outside, BG shows back up starts same type of activities. Couple retreats into their abode, calls police. BG breaks a window either in the door or next to the door of the couple's abode. By the time HPD shows up BG has again disappeared into the surrounding area.
After police leave, couple goes outside to sweep up the broken glass. BG approaches for a third time, verbally agressive, moves rapidly toward the couple. They attempt a retreat, BG gets to them before they can get the door completely closed.
The woman falls or is knocked down, BG is on top of her. At this point the Good Guy has a reasonable belief the BG is about to do one or more of the "Big 5" (kill, cause serious bodily harm, rape, commit forcible sodomy, or kidnap) actions that justify use of deadly force in the state of Hawaii, to his fiance. He retrieves a knife from his kitchen and uses it to stop the BG in his actions. BG dies.
HPD is called for the third time...arrive and promptly arrest the Good Guy. Good Guy spends the night in jail and is released the next day with the DA stating it was a justifiable use of force and no charges will be filed.
Such is life in paradise.
migoi