A late-night visit to one of Honolulu's most iconic views turned terrifying for a young couple on Friday when two masked gunmen robbed them at Tantalus lookout, police said.
The stickup happened around 11:08 p.m. on Feb. 20, when two suspects walked up to a 19-year-old man and a 20-year-old woman at the popular overlook and demanded their belongings. The man turned over his property and was then struck in the head with a gun, leaving him with a head injury, according to police. The suspects took off down Round Top Drive.
Honolulu police have classified the case as a first-degree robbery and opened an active investigation, according to KITV. Officers said the men fled the area in a white 2017 Ford Mustang.
Police describe the first suspect as a man about 5 feet 6 inches to 5 feet 8 inches tall, roughly 160 to 180 pounds, wearing a black hoodie and black ski mask and armed with a black handgun. The second suspect was a similar build and wore a white jacket and black ski mask, police told KITV. The investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information is urged to contact CrimeStoppers.
Tantalus Lookout Has Seen Trouble Before
The postcard view has come with an ugly side in recent years. Teenagers were previously robbed at gunpoint at the overlook, according to Hawaii News Now. In a separate 2024 case, three men were arrested with guns at Tantalus lookout, the Star-Advertiser reported.
Those earlier incidents brought extra police attention to the scenic pullouts, a reminder that the popular nighttime hangout can turn dangerous without much warning.
How To Help
The Honolulu Police Department warns the public: do not approach any suspect. If you spot individuals who match the descriptions and are still in the area, call 911 immediately and keep your distance. The department’s online safety guidance echoes that message, stressing that residents should let officers handle any contact.
To share information about this case, contact CrimeStoppers Honolulu at 808-955-8300 or submit an anonymous tip through the CrimeStoppers website. The HPD site has more details on how to report tips safely.
