In the event a private citizen incurs injury or property damage in preventing the commission of a crime within the State, in apprehending a person who has committed a crime within the State, or in materially assisting a peace officer who is engaged in the prevention or attempted prevention of such a crime or the apprehension or attempted apprehension of such a person, the commission may, in its discretion, upon an application, order the payment of compensation in accordance with this chapter:

1. (1) To or for the benefit of the private citizen; or
2. (2) To any person responsible for the maintenance of the private citizen, where that person has suffered pecuniary loss or incurred expenses as a result of the private citizen's injury.

[L 1967, c 226, pt of §1; HRS §351-51; am L 1998, c 240, §5]