Puna man charged after allegedly killing dog, hitting woman with hammer

A 41-year-old Puna man was arrested and charged earlier this week after he allegedly killed a dog with a hammer and hit the animal’s owner with the same tool when she tried to intervene.

Hawai‘i Police Department says Henry Tangitau of Pāhoa was charged Wednesday afternoon with:

• First-degree terroristic threatening.
• Second-degree unlawful imprisonment.
• Felony abuse of a family household member.
• Misdemeanor abuse of a family household member.
• First-degree cruelty to animals.

His bail was set at $18,000. Tangitau’s initial court appearance was scheduled for Thursday afternoon in Hilo District Court.

Hawai‘i Police Department detectives responded Tuesday afternoon after Puna Patrol officers arrived shortly after 3:15 p.m. to a a domestic incident at a residence on Alapaʻi Street in Leilani Estates.

A 35-year-old woman reported that during an argument earlier in the day, Tangitau allegedly pushed her to the ground and punched her in the face. He then reportedly strangled her and tied her to a beam inside the house so she couldn’t leave.

She was allowed to leave a short time later, but remained at the house.

Another verbal argument ensued later in the afternoon, during which Tangitau threatened her and her dog with physical harm. Tangitau then retrieved a hammer and allegedly hit the dog several times on the head.

When the woman attempted to intervene, she was unintentionally hit with the hammer.

Tangitau was arrested at the scene without incident.

The woman was treated at the residence by Hawai‘i Fire Department personnel. She declined to be transported to the hospital for further treatment.

Detectives later obtained a search warrant for the residence to recover evidence and document the scene.

Anyone with information relative to this investigation is asked to contact Hawai’i Police Department Detective Kelsey Kobayashi at 808-961-8883 or via email at kelsey.kobayashi@hawaiicounty.gov.