Hawaii Kidnapping Suspect Set For Hearing

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Monday for a man accused of kidnapping a woman in the Diamond Head area of Oahu. Diesel Kawelo, 23, appeared before a judge on Thursday morning. He stood barefoot with shackles on his ankles. Kawelo did not speak during the initial appearance.

Prosecutors filed kidnapping charges following an incident that occurred around noon on Monday. Police say Kawelo parked his vehicle on Coconut Avenue and left the rear driver side door open. He then followed two women from behind. Authorities report that he picked up the 24-year-old victim and carried her for approximately 35 feet. Witnesses said the victim swung her limbs, pulled at Kawelo's hair, and screamed for help while being carried.

Police stated that Kawelo dropped the woman four feet from his truck. Neighbors nearby intervened to help the victim break free. Kawelo drove away from the scene. Officers arrested him a few hours later near the intersection of 22nd Avenue and Diamond Head Road. Police found him running naked before they detained him. The victim identified Kawelo in a lineup. His record shows multiple traffic citations but no other criminal history.

Kawelo graduated from Kamehameha Schools Kapālama in 2021. He was a varsity soccer player and made the ILH All-Star team. Attorney Eric Seitz described the incident as horrifying. Seitz believes Kawelo likely has psychiatric problems that require evaluation. He suggested that locking the suspect up is not the appropriate immediate step.

Legal analysts expect the public defender to request a court-ordered psychiatric exam. The judge set bail at $500,000. Kawelo will stand before the court again on Monday for the preliminary hearing.