‘Just wonderful people’: Hawaii County mayor mourns victims of double homicide

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - A 21-year-old suspect remains in Hawaii County police custody in connection with the fatal stabbing of his grandparents.

Joshua Ho was booked Monday afternoon after police responded to a home in the Panaewa area and found the bodies of Jeffrey and Carla Takamine.

The 68-year-olds were the owners of Big Island Delights, a Hilo store known for its cookies and candies.

Big Island Mayor Mitch Roth and his wife, Noriko, were longtime friends of the Takamines.

Hawaii Island community reeling after man arrested for grandparents’ killings

Couple killed in double stabbing on Hawaii Island remembered for their ‘warmth’

He described them as invaluable pillars of the community and will always remember their generosity.

“These are really just wonderful people,” Roth said. “You wouldn’t wish this on anyone, but when it happens, to people that are just so kind, so loving, so giving and really don’t ask for anything, it just, it’s like getting punched in the gut.”

Roth is in Washington, D.C. this week for a conference and learned of the tragedy shortly after landing.

Like so many in the Hilo community, he remains shocked and heartbroken.

“The question I think everyone is asking is ‘why?’” Roth said. “How does something like this happen? Like I said, my thoughts and prayers are with the rest of the family at this time and just ask the community to support them as well.”

As of Tuesday afternoon, Ho has not been charged.

Copyright 2023 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.