A Sunday afternoon at a Waikīkī hotel pool turned unsettling when an unknown man allegedly approached several children, offered them gum and money, and tried to coax them to his room, according to police. The incident, reported around 2 p.m., focused on several kids, including a 9‑year‑old, witnesses told investigators. Those at the scene said the man asked for the children's names, wrote them in a notebook, and tried to persuade them to go to his hotel room before he left the area. Police are treating it as a "stranger danger" case while they run down tips.
What police say
According to Honolulu Police, the man walked up to several children, including a 9‑year‑old, at a Waikīkī hotel pool area at about 2 p.m. on Sunday. Officers say he offered the kids gum and money in exchange for going with him to his room, asked for their names, and wrote those names in a notebook before leaving the pool deck. Police are asking anyone with information to call 911 or CrimeStoppers at (808) 955‑8300.
Suspect description
Honolulu police described the case as a "Stranger danger incident in Waikīkī" and released a physical description of the suspect. He was reported as a Caucasian man with gray hair, wearing a black shirt, gray shorts, and sunglasses, and carrying a black backpack along with a black laptop‑style bag, according to Honolulu Police. Detectives say the investigation is active and are urging anyone with video or additional details to come forward.
Context and reactions
Waikīkī hotel pools tend to get crowded in July as visiting families and the city's Summer Fun programs bring more keiki into public and hotel pool areas, which raises the stakes for close supervision. The City Department of Parks and Recreation's Summer Fun calendar lists weekday programs running through late July and thousands of kids enrolled across Oʻahu, according to the Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation. Past "stranger danger" alerts on Oʻahu have sometimes turned out to be misunderstandings, but police say every report is checked carefully as investigators follow up on leads and tips, and local coverage has urged residents to report suspicious behavior. Hawaii News Now has previously reported on similar community alerts.
How parents can respond
Child‑safety experts recommend calm, age‑appropriate talks with kids about staying with a trusted adult and what to do if someone behaves in a way that makes them feel uneasy, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. Around pools, they advise designating a single "water watcher" who keeps eyes on children without distraction, and they encourage swim lessons for kids and CPR training for adults. Those steps are also highlighted in a pool‑safety guide from UNM Health. If you were at the hotel pool, saw the man, or captured video, tips can be shared with CrimeStoppers Honolulu at 808‑955‑8300 so investigators can follow up.
