HONOLULU (KHON2) — Hawaii Island police have opened a first-degree murder investigation after an early morning incident in Hilo.
According to police, the incident happened on Monday morning, Jan. 16 in a residence on Makalika Street.
When police arrived, they determined that two 68-year-olds were deceased and a 28-year-old male had life-threatening injuries to his head.
Big Island police confirmed the two deceased victims were Jeffrey and Carla Takamine and they suffered from apparent stab wounds.
“As they arrived on the scene, they were contacted by various family members who were actually restraining one individual,” said Capt. Rio Amon-Wilkins, Hawaii Police Department Criminal Investigation Area I. “Officers arrested that individual and as things started to unfold, we learned that there were two deceased elderly people within the residence.”
The 21-year-old being restrained by family members was Joshua Ho, the grandson of the victims.
Ho was taken to the hospital for lacerations to his hands. After being treated for his injuries, he was transferred to a police cellblock. He has not yet been charged.
“At this point, we really do not have a motive. We’ve talked to the family members and obviously, it’s a shock to everyone.”
Capt. Rio Amon-Wilkins, Hawaii Police Department Criminal Investigation Area I.
The Hilo business community is in disbelief. The Hawaii Island Chamber of Commerce confirmed that the victims were the owners of Big Island Delights, a family-owned and operated business known for their cookies and local snacks.
“There were a countless number of non-profit organizations, sports teams, and boy scout groups that have benefited from their generosity and their family business,” said Miles Yoshioka, Hawaii Island Chamber of Commerce executive officer.
Yoshioka said the community will miss the Takamine’s kind, humble and generous nature.
“It was shock, disbelief, that a tragedy like this could happen to a family that’s so much part of our Hilo community,” said Yoshioka.
A search warrant for the residence is pending and the suspect remains in custody.
The two deceased victims will be taken to a medical center for an official pronouncement of death and autopsies have been scheduled to determine the exact cause.
