Hawaii Man Charged After Attempted Kidnapping at Honolulu Condo

Diesel Makanikaiaulu Kawelo, 23, stands accused of attempting to abduct a 24-year-old woman from a Honolulu condominium complex on Monday afternoon. The incident, which was recorded on surveillance footage, ended when neighbors intervened to free the victim before the suspect fled the scene in a truck.

Police arrested Kawelo on Wednesday and charged him with kidnapping. The court set his bail at $500,000. Authorities initially responded to the Kainalu condominiums following a report of a kidnapping. Video from the area showed a truck parked outside the complex. The suspect entered the garage, confronted two women, and pursued one of them.

A 77-year-old resident, who requested anonymity, stated that the man physically assaulted her before lifting her friend. She described the suspect’s demeanor as intense. “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.” The woman noted that she and her friend screamed for help while the suspect held the younger woman.

Beverly Louis, a neighbor, observed the suspect bear-hugging the woman and dragging her toward the rear of his truck. Louis called out to him repeatedly, shouting, “Drop her! Drop her! Drop her!” She reported that the victim screamed for her life. Mike Finkelstein, another witness, yelled at the man to release the woman, telling him, “Let her go. I’ve called the police. I’m coming down there after you.”

Several neighbors moved to assist the 24-year-old after hearing the commotion. Their intervention allowed the victim to break free. Witnesses said the suspect entered his truck and drove away quickly. Police located Kawelo a few hours later in a nearby neighborhood, where they found him running naked. They took him into custody at that time.

The 77-year-old resident expressed gratitude to the neighbors who assisted during the attack. She stated that both she and her friend continue to experience nightmares. The neighborhood remains on edge following the incident.