Cecilio Rodriguez of the beloved Hawaii band Cecilio and Kapono has been arrested in California on charges of child molestation charges. More specifically, Rodriguez, 66, was arrested at a home in Carson, California on a warrant by the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department Tuesday evening. He is charged with lewd and lascivious acts with a child under 14.
As sad as this is, it isn’t the first time that Rodriguez has been charged with a sex crime. In December of 1994, Rodriguez pleaded no contest to second-degree attempted sex assault. He spent two days in jail as part of his deferred acceptance of no contest plea, according to court documents.
Cecilio Rodriguez has been running into a lot of problems with the law lately. Along with these latest sexual charges, Rodriguez was also recently stopped here in Hawaii and charged with a DUI. He was found guilty last month on the DUI charge, and was sentenced to 240 hours of community service and a $500 fine. It was his second drunk driving arrest in three years.
A statement was released immediately from Henry Kapono – the other half of Cecilio and Kapono. It read as follows:
“I am currently on vacation at Disneyland with my family and have just recently learned about Cecilio’s arrest in Los Angeles. I have received many calls from media and friends. I have not spoken with him and only know what has been reported in the media. I did not see this coming. I am saddened for Cecilio and heart broken for the family involved. My heart and prayers go out to them.”
This month, Cecilio performed with Henry Kapono in several cities as part of the Cecilio and Kapono “Back in the Day” concert tour. That tour just wrapped up less than a week ago in Redondo Beach, California, this according to the band’s website.
It looks like it hasn’t been a “good time together” lately. Could there even be more victims from the past? More on this as it develops.
Oh, I am just so saddened by this information. These guys had such aloha, such gorgeous voices raised my spirits through many a dark night, or filled me with joy on better occasions. I will never forget the peace I found in that paradise of Honolulu, where many years ago I was just a young woman serving in the US Army. With aloha, I wish them both better times and smoother waters. Mahalo for what you both gave me, I will keep your music in my heart forever. Keep the light close to your hearts.
This all needs to get laid out on the table and discussed.. We need to know everything, all violations and how many occurrences.. The only way we move on from here is understand, pay his dues and forgive.. The music was magic… If forgiveness is not acceptable.. Then the cancer of hate will consume you .. No One is perfect… We all have skeletons in our closets..
I went to school in Santa Barbara and Cecilio Rodriguz was my music teacher. He was a teacher, had his own band, a great artist, surfer and super outgoing and friendly. Many may not know Cecilio was one of many children in his family who was taken away from their parents at a young age and raised by an adopted family in Santa Barbara. I am sure there was abuse and alcoholism in his family of origin.
I hope Cecilio gets the help he needs; abusers abuse others when not healed or gotten counseling.
C was my neighbor in Kaneohe in the late seventies. I know this is true from my own experiences. When a spoke to a policeman about what happened he said that because C had been drinking the night before it happened he might get away with it.
So completely depressed. I looked them up as I thought C was sick when I last saw them. I was hoping he was okay and had recovered from whatever he was suffering from.
Then I read this and now I am the one that feels sick. It doesn’t ruin or erase my memories of rushing the stage at Aloha stadium or their music but I do feel betrayed. The victims are in my prayers and I am thankful my mother did not learn of this before she passed.
It’s heartbreaking for sure, but this isn’t Henry’s fault and regardless what bad turns C made in life, there’s no denying how AMAZING they were together, and how good that music is STILL to this day. Mahalo to Henry for moving on quietly and still singing the songs, and not making a scene over it. Looking forward to seeing his show tomorrow night here in San Diego as the Songs of C&K tour continues.
This makes me want to toss out all my C & K cds.
Why? Henry didn’t do anything! It is beautiful music.