Honolulu Garage Incident: Man Charged in Kidnapping Attempt

Diesel Makanikaiaulu Kawelo was charged with kidnapping on Wednesday in Honolulu. The 23-year-old man faces a bail amount of $500,000 for an incident that occurred in a condominium garage earlier this week.

The attempted abduction took place on Monday afternoon at the Kainalu condominiums. Police received a call regarding the reported kidnapping. Surveillance video from the area shows a truck parked outside the complex. Footage captures a man entering the garage to confront two women. He is seen chasing one of them.

A 77-year-old resident, who requested anonymity, stated that the suspect picked up her 24-year-old friend. Police reports indicate the suspect elbowed the older woman in the face during the struggle. “He shoved me away from my friend and he picked her up,” the resident said. She described the suspect as looking like a monster with hatred and craziness in his eyes. The women screamed for help while the 24-year-old tried to fend off the attacker.

Witness Beverly Louis, a neighbor, saw the man bear-hugging the woman and dragging her toward the back of his truck. “I just started screaming, ‘Drop her! Drop her! Drop her!’” Louis said. She noted that the victim was screaming for her life and appeared terrified. Another neighbor, Mike Finkelstein, also shouted at the man to release the woman. “Let her go. I’ve called the police. I’m coming down there after you,” Finkelstein recalled saying.

Several neighbors rushed to the scene after hearing the commotion. Their intervention helped the 24-year-old woman break free. The suspect then drove his truck away at high speed. Police located him a few hours later. He was found running naked in a nearby neighborhood before officers took him into custody.

The 77-year-old resident thanked her neighbors for their assistance. She and her friend reported continuing to experience nightmares. The neighborhood remained on edge following the incident.

Kawelo was identified by authorities and arrested in connection with the video evidence. The charges were filed on Wednesday. The case remains active as part of the ongoing investigation into the garage incident.