Police seeking information about attempted Honokaa kidnapping

The Hawaii County Police Department is investigating a report of an alleged attempted kidnapping in Honoka‘a.

According to a police news release, an incident reportedly took place in the Pa‘auhau Camp area of Honoka‘a between 4 and 6 p.m. Wednesday, wherein a white SUV with two men inside approached an 11-year-old boy walking with a bicycle.

According to the child’s testimony, the men in the SUV asked the child to enter the vehicle, which the child declined. The SUV then left the area, leaving the child to eventually inform his family of the incident.

The child described the SUV’s driver as possibly a Filipino or Asian male between 40 and 60 years old and wearing a black hoodie. There was no concrete description of the SUV’s passenger, other than that he was also wearing a black hoodie.

The police reported they were informed of the incident via a social media post and urged residents to report such incidents promptly and directly to the police.

“We encourage the public to contact police to report crimes or suspicious activities” said Captain Regino Saludares, Commander for the Hamakua District.“Posting information on popular social media sites may spread awareness quickly, but prompt reporting to police will help tremendously with the investigation and keeping the public safe”.

Anyone with information about the case is encouraged to call the Hawaii Police Department at at (808) 935-3311, or contact Officer John Kari at (808) 775-7533 or John.Kari@hawaiicounty.gov.