Joshua Makana Jiro Ho, 21, of Hilo was charged Tuesday with first-degree murder and other offenses following an early morning incident Monday that led to the death of his grandparents, Jeffrey Yoshio Takamine and Carla Kayoko Takamine.
Ho was charged with first-degree murder, two counts of second-degree murder and second-degree attempted murder. His bail was set at $2.75 million.
The charges against Ho stem from an incident reported shortly before 7 a.m. Monday, when South Hilo patrol officers responded to a disturbance at a residence located on Makalika Street in Panaewa.
Upon arriving at the scene, officers were met by two family members who were physically restraining Ho.
Ho was covered in blood and was immediately arrested without incident, police said.
Police and fire personnel were then informed that Jeffrey and Carla Takamine were deceased within the residence, and Ho’s 28-year-old brother also had received potentially life-threatening injuries to his head.
The victims had multiple stab wounds, police said.
Ho’s brother was transported via ambulance to the Hilo Medical Center, where he was treated for multiple lacerations to his head and was subsequently released.
Ho was also taken to HMC for lacerations to his hands. Following treatment, he was taken to the Hilo police cellblock for booking.
On Monday afternoon, detectives executed a search warrant on the residence and recovered multiple large kitchen-type knives and biological evidence.
Jeffrey and Carla Takamine, both 68, were transported to HMC and officially pronounced dead later that day. Final autopsy results are pending.
Ho remains in police custody pending his initial court appearance today.
Those who knew the victims continued to express shock and grief Tuesday over their deaths.
Dwight Takamine, a former state labor director and legislator, is a first cousin to Jeff Takamine. He called the late couple “both very special individuals who raised a beautiful family together.”
Takamine said he and Jeff Takamine, a year his junior, grew up together in Honokaa.
“We sort of grew up together through the sugar era,” Dwight Takamine said. “In fact, both Jeffrey’s father and my father worked for the plantation. There were certain values that we grew up learning that reinforced that bond of cousins growing up together. A part of that was working hard and perseverance.”
Jeff and Carla Takamine, both 68, owned Big Island Delights, a local-style confectionery business they started in 1996. A sign at the Big Island Delights Kanoelehua Avenue store, which is currently closed, said it would reopen on Jan. 23.
“I remember Jeffrey and Carla, when they started the business that ultimately became Big Island Delights, they worked so hard,” Dwight Takamine said. “And they were both dedicated to not only creating a successful business, but they also made sure that their own children grew up with those values of working hard and striving toward long-range goals.
“I think that for both Carla and Jeffrey, it wasn’t only about building a successful business, but making sure that their children were provided for. That’s why they worked so well together. And I guess in the process, their children not only learned to work well together, but also to look out for one another and to always try to be supportive of each other.
“While this is a tremendous loss, both Jeffrey and Carla helped to build so many warm memories, and they helped to teach us many positive lessons,” he said. “And I think this will help our family keep together and keep going.”
Mayor Mitch Roth was among those extending condolences Tuesday to the Takamines’ family and friends. Roth said it was “with deep sadness” that he learned of the deaths of the couple, “both of whom I’ve been blessed to call friends.”
“They were two of the most generous, giving, and caring people I’ve ever known, and I join in the grieving of many throughout our community who have had the privilege to be touched by their warmth and aloha,” Roth said in statement. “Through that warmth, I ask that we hold the Takamine family in our thoughts as they go through a time of great hurt, sadness and healing.”
Sylvia Yadao posted on Facebook that she went to school with Jeff Takamine and expressed her “deepest sympathy” to the family.
“There is no simple words to describe how we all feel, but know in your heart we are praying for all, in this special time of need. God bless!!!” said Yadao.
Mark-Laurence Wright-Mattos posted he “cannot believe” the tragedy, and his heart is “super heavy right now.”
“We were literally in my drive way 8 days ago talking stories,” Wright-Mattos wrote “… He was such a nice man to me.”
And Rachel Oili posted, “This is so heartbreaking, my friend’s family, such a good family too.”
Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
