Man charged with murder of woman found in dumpster

Police on Friday charged 46-year-old Joseph M. Kahawai with second-degree murder in connection with the death of a woman whose body was found in a Waikiki trash bin last week.

Dr. Masahiko Kobayashi, deputy medical examiner, said 51-year-old Janine U. Meyer died of asphyxiation due to various causes.

Meyer ‘s body was discovered on the morning of Oct. 29 in a trash bin near the Hawaiian Colony apartments off Ala Moana Boulevard.

Police classified the case as an unattended death until Thursday when it became a second-degree murder investigation. According to police records, Kahawai was then arrested in connection with the alleged crime and charged Friday at 7:30 p.m.

Police have not explained what led them to reclassify the case or to suspect Kahawai. He remains in police custody unable to post $1 million bail.