Honolulu, Hawaii: Man Charged in Diamond Head Garage Kidnapping Attempt, Bail Set at $500,000

Police in Honolulu have charged a 23-year-old man with kidnapping after a woman broke free from an attack in a condominium garage near Diamond Head that was caught on surveillance video and stopped by neighbors who heard the women screaming.

Hawaii News Now reported that the man, identified by police as Diesel Makanikaiaulu Kawelo, was charged on Wednesday in connection with the incident at the Kainalu condominium on Coconut Avenue. KHON2 reported that Kawelo was charged with kidnapping and that his bail was set at $500,000.

What happened in the garage

According to Honolulu police, the confrontation happened around noon on Monday, October 26. A man went inside the garage of the Kainalu condominium and confronted two women, a 24-year-old visitor and her 77-year-old friend, who lives at the building. Police and witnesses said the man chased the younger woman, grabbed her and picked her up, carrying her toward his truck while she fought and screamed.

The 77-year-old resident told Hawaii News Now the man shoved her away as she tried to help her friend. "He shoved me away from my friend and he picked her up," she said. "He looked like a monster. He just had so much hatred and craziness in his eyes." She said both women yelled for help, and that her friend pleaded with the man as he carried her: "You don't want to do this. Don't do this."

Neighbors rushed in

The screams carried out of the garage, and neighbors converged on the scene. Beverly Louis, a witness who intervened, told Hawaii News Now she saw the man bear-hugging the woman and dragging her toward the back of his truck. "I just started screaming, 'Drop her! Drop her! Drop her!'" Louis said. "She was screaming for her life. She was terrified."

Another neighbor, Mike Finkelstein, said he shouted at the man: "Let her go. I've called the police. I'm coming down there after you." Scott Morison, who lives nearby, told KHON2 he ran toward the truck and tried to block the passenger side with his body while the young woman kicked and struggled in the man's grip.

The woman broke free and fell to the ground before the man reached his vehicle. Witnesses said he then got into his truck and sped off backward, heading mauka on Coconut Avenue.

Arrest about three hours later

About three hours later, at around 2:39 p.m., police arrested Kawelo near 22nd Avenue and Diamond Head Road, after a suspicious man matching the suspect's description was seen running naked in the area. He was arrested for kidnapping and second-degree assault, police said.

The 77-year-old resident told Hawaii News Now that she and her friend have had nightmares since the attack, and neighbors said the quiet Gold Coast neighborhood by Diamond Head remains on edge. Police have not announced a motive for the attack. Kawelo was charged with kidnapping on Wednesday, and the case now moves into the court process, where he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.