HONOLULU -- A 26-year-old Hawaii inmate who was due to be released from prison in October died yesterday in a privately-run prison in Arizona after being assaulted, according to Public Safety Department chief Clayton Frank.

The inmate was identified as Bronson Nunuha.

Frank said Nunuha had served about four-and-a-half years of his term for three counts of second-degree burglary.

He was at the Saguaro Correctional Center run by the Corrections Corporation of America.

Frank said CCA is conducting an internal investigation and the Eloy, Ariz. police department is conducting a criminal investigation.

Frank also said that Hawaii is sending an internal affairs team and a gang intelligence officer to do an independent investigation into what happened.

Frank would not comment on whether any other inmates were being detained in connection with the death or whether gang violence was involved.

Nunuha would have finished serving his term on Oct. 31, Frank said.