Four Arrested in Puna Kidnapping and Assault Investigation

Hawai’i Island Police have charged three individuals and arrested a fourth on suspicion of multiple offenses stemming from a kidnapping and assault investigation.  The alleged incident was reported to have occurred Hawaiian Paradise Park in the Puna District during the last week in May 2019.

On May 31, 2019, a 36-year old woman was treated at Hilo Medical Center for multiple injuries. The woman told police she had been kidnapped and held at a Hawaiian Paradise Park house for several days where she was allegedly beaten, sexually assaulted, and threatened with a firearm.

Detectives from the Criminal Investigation Division obtained a search warrant which was served on a 29th street address with the assistance of the Response Team on Thursday morning, June 6.

Police arrested two women, Tammy Kahiwaokalani Hodson, 50, and Misty Kehaulani Kamelamela, 32, who were at the house. A 40-year-old man, Joel Hanalei White was arrested in South Kohala on Friday, and a 35-year-old woman, Joanna Lei Kawelo, was located and arrested this morning in Nānāwale Estates in the Puna District.

After conferring with Prosecutors Detectives charged Tammy  Hodson of Keaʻau on Friday (June 7) with one count of kidnapping, two counts of first degree assault, one count of first degree terroristic threatening, one count of first degree sexual assault, one count of second degree promotion of a dangerous drug, one count of third-degree promotion of a detrimental drug, one count of fourth-degree promotion of a harmful drug, and one count of drug paraphernalia. She was being held at the police cellblock in lieu of $59,250 bail.

Misty Kamelamela, of Keaʻau, was charged Friday with one count of third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug, one count of third-degree promotion of a detrimental drug, and one count of fourth-degree promotion of a harmful drug. She was being held at the police cellblock in lieu of $12,000 bail.

Joel White, of Kamuela, was charged with one count of kidnapping and one count of first-degree sexual assault and was being held at the police cellblock in lieu of $35,000 bail.

Joanna Kawelo of Pāhoa was arrested for three outstanding warrants totaling $1,400 bail.  She was also being held on arrest warrant related to an investigation involving kidnapping, assault, ownership possession prohibited, terroristic threatening and sexual assault.  She is being held at the police cellblock pending further investigation and charging decision.

Police ask anyone who may have has additional information on the incident to contact Detective Richard Itleong of the Area I Juvenile Aid Section at (808) 961-2278.

Tammy K. Hodson, Misty K. Kamalamela, Joel H. White and Joanna L. Kawelo. Photos courtesy: Hawai’i Police Department

Tammy K. Hodson

Misty K. Kamalamela

Joel H. White

Joanna L. Kawelo