Hawai‘i Island police have arrested and charged 41-year-old Henry Tangitau of Pāhoa in connection with a series of alleged domestic-related offenses, including the alleged brutal killing of a dog and assault of a woman during a domestic dispute.
The incident unfolded on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at a residence on Alapai Street in the Leilani Estates area of Pāhoa. According to authorities, Puna patrol officers were called to the scene shortly after 3:15 p.m. when a 35-year-old woman reported that Tangitau had allegedly struck her and her dog with a hammer, resulting in the death of the animal.
The victim told police that the situation escalated earlier in the day when an argument turned violent. Tangitau pushed her to the ground, punched her in the face, and strangled her, impeding her ability to breathe. He then reportedly tied her to a beam inside the residence, preventing her from leaving.
While she was eventually untied, tensions allegedly flared again later in the afternoon during another argument. Tangitau allegedly threatened both the woman and her dog, retrieved a hammer, and struck the dog multiple times on the head. The victim, attempting to intervene, was inadvertently struck with the hammer.
Emergency responders from the Hawai‘i Fire Department treated the victim at the scene, but she declined to be transported to the hospital.
Police arrested Tangitau at the scene without incident. Detectives later obtained a search warrant to gather evidence from the residence.
By Wednesday afternoon, December 11, after consultation with Hawai‘i County Prosecutors, detectives from the Area I Juvenile Aid Section formally charged Tangitau with the following offenses:
- First-degree terroristic threatening
- Second-degree unlawful imprisonment
- Felony abuse of a family household member
- Misdemeanor abuse of a family household member
- First-degree cruelty to animals
Tangitau’s bail was set at $18,000. He remains in custody and is scheduled to make his initial court appearance this afternoon, December 12, in Hilo District Court.
Police have asked anyone with information about the case to contact Detective Kelsey Kobayashi of the Area I Juvenile Aid Section at (808) 961-8883 or via email at kelsey.kobayashi@hawaiicounty.gov.
This incident highlights the critical need for awareness and intervention in alleged domestic violence situations, as well as the importance of protecting vulnerable victims, including pets, from harm.
