"It's a pretty sad event because it was a pretty senseless situation that happened, so we're not doing very well," said Kalani Nakoa.

He's struggling to make sense of what happened to his older brother Ned Nakoa, who was beaten while trying to stop a purse-snatching in Waikiki just after midnight Saturday. The 58-year-old died of head injuries less than 12 hours later.

Two teens appeared in court for the crime Tuesday Kelii Acasia, 19, is charged with second-degree murder and Benjamin Pada, 18, with robbery and assault.

Court documents said Pada committed the first act of violence. A military man and his girlfriend were sitting on a Waikiki beach when the woman said the teens came up to them and Pada kicked her boyfriend in the face, grabbed her purse from her lap and ran off laughing.

The boyfriend chased after Pada, punched him in the mouth and started to fight with suspects.

It was around this time that Ned Nakoa showed up, having left his niece's wedding.

Witnesses said Acasia beat him until he was motionless on the ground.

A check of court records show Acasia is on probation for a 2006 sex assault conviction and there was a warrant out for his arrest. Pada may also have committed another crime.

Officers said they found stolen travelers checks in his pocket when he was arrested in the alleged purse-snatching incident. Both teens are due back in court Thursday. Meanwhile, Nakoa's family is making funeral arrangements and trying to cope.

"I don't understand what the motive was, I can just make assumptions," said Kalani Nakoa.

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