On Tuesday afternoon, police in Hawai'i Island's Puna district responded to a harrowing domestic disturbance in Pāhoa. Henry Tangitau, 41, stands accused of committing severe violence against both a female victim and her pet. The incident reportedly involved the suspect striking his partner and her dog with a hammer, resulting in the animal's death. According to a Hawai'i Police Department report, the altercation occurred around 3:15 p.m. on Alapai Street in Leilani Estates.
Earlier that day, Tangitau allegedly pushed the 35-year-old woman to the ground, punched her in the face, and went as far as to impede her breathing by strangling. The victim was also said to be tied to a beam within the house, preventing her from escaping the premises. Though she was eventually permitted to leave, she stayed at the residence, where another argument later ignited. That's when Tangitau retrieved a hammer and commenced his violent assault on the dog and inadvertently on the victim when she attempted to intervene.
Following swift arrest by Puna patrol officers, Tangitau faced multiple charges. Hawai'i County Prosecutors have since charged him with first-degree terroristic threatening, second-degree unlawful imprisonment, felony abuse of a family household member, misdemeanor abuse family household member, and first-degree cruelty to animals. Bail was set at $18,000, as stated in the Hawai'i Police Department report.
The victim, treated at the scene by Hawai‘i Fire Department personnel, chose not to go to the hospital. The disturbing incident led detectives to obtain a search warrant for the residence to gather evidence. Tangitau remained in custody after his court appearance yesterday in Hilo District Court. Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact Detective Kelsey Kobayashi.
