‘Peter Boy’ Kema’s parents indicted on murder charge in his 1997 disappearance
COURTESY JAMES AND YOLANDA ACOL / MAY 2005
“Peter Boy” Kema Jr.
HAWAII COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT
Peter Kema Sr., father of “Peter Boy,” is shown at left today. Jaylin M. Kema is shown in this Nov. 2015 file photo.
A Hilo grand jury has indicted the parents of “Peter Boy” Kema on charges of murder in the death of their son, who has been missing for nearly 20 years.
Hawaii County Prosecutor Mitch Roth said Hawaii County police arrested Peter Boy’s father, Peter Kema Sr., at about 3 p.m. today on an unrelated traffic offense. He was arrested on the murder charge at 5:30 p.m. while in custody. His bail has been set $500,000.
Peter Boy’s mother, Jaylin Kema, was arrested in Hilo at 5:14 p.m. and her bail amount was set at $150,000.
Peter and Jaylin Kema were charged with one count of second-degree murder, Roth said.
Peter Boy Kema disappeared in 1997 when he was 6. The mystery of what happened to Peter Boy has continued since Peter Boy’s father told authorities he gave his son to a longtime family friend while on a job-hunting trip to Oahu.
Roth made the announcement of the indictment this afternoon and thanked police, investigators from the prosecutor’s office and many others.
Don't miss out on what's happening!
Stay in touch with top news, as it happens, conveniently in your email inbox. It's FREE!
38 responses to “‘Peter Boy’ Kema’s parents indicted on murder charge in his 1997 disappearance”
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
time for peter boy to see justice on his behalf.
peter’s sister finally sorted out the painful memories that brought this case together.
peter kema senior, it’s time, just time.
I sorted this out the first time I heard that they gave Peter boy to one good, good family friend, Aunty Rose Makuakane and thatʻs all they know about this fictitious person, her name and nothing else. Whereʻs Aunty..? “Donʻt know”, Where does she live? “Donʻt know”, Where is she from, “Donʻt know”, What about her family, can ask them or what, “Donʻt know”.
A_Reader. Other question is how did they get to Oahu? I believe the authorities checked with the airlines and the Kemas were not on any passenger list during that time frame.
They could have proved Mr Kema never traveled to Honolulu when he said he gave Peter away.
Only in Hawaii where most crime pays Murder is almost legal. Why would it take 19 years to charge them with murder. Our top cop is a problem, the Mayor is a problem, the entire Hilo police department is a problem etc. etc. etc.
Only took 19 years….
..and how many thousands of families like this are committing welfare fraud in Hawaii and are only by chance discovered when they are scrutinized for other crimes?
why not do a “google search” and find out, before trying to swallow your feet?
..and does Google know of cases that are never discovered?
It’s about time!
Finally!
They must have been darn well connected or Big Island criminal justice system was dumber than dumb. More people have been convicted on a lot less “Circumstantial Evidence” than this case. Example: Only two people in the house (me and my 5 year old daughter), I just walk out of the kitchen with a untouched chocolate cake on the table, go back in and itʻs been torn into and my daughter has chocolate all over her face, on her clothes, on her hands and she swears she didnʻt do it and knows nothing about it.
Justice will be served. Probably was worried about the rest of the family who was holding out.
Justice will be served. Hopefully the liberal court system will make sure the cake-stealing daughter will get her due. Yikes!
The wheels of Justice turn verrrrrrrrrrrry slowly on the Big Island
That’s good arrest them on a “unrelated traffic charge” and then get a warrant. Convenient traffic offense.
He would have been in his mid-twenties today. Rest in peace Peter Boy.
Without a body to prove the death, it’s gonna be interesting to see how the prosecution proceeds with this case and proves their theory of the murder………..
Many murderers have been convicted without the body of the victim ever found.
True. The conviction of Kirk Lankford for the murder of Masumi Watanabe was accomplished without a body or actual witnesses to the crime. Maybe years from now her remains will be uncovered. Lankford’s story? He gave Masumi a peaceful burial at sea.
Its a shame Sugar went under. It created a lot of jobs. The Big Island was a great place to live. The plantations provided housing, health care, education. There was no such thing as welfare.
Same thing happened to Kauai and Maui. Only so many people can work in tourism.
The GMOs are shutting down agriculture. Hawaiians are never satisfied. No TMT.
What the heck are you talking about? This was a murder has nothing to do abput anything else. These people are pigs!
I agree that “these people are pigs,” but their piggish behavior, however, can be influenced by prevailing economic conditions. No paycheck leads to family stress; this in turn can trigger domestic violence, drug abuse, and a breakdown of traditional family values. Thus, I think that lespark made a valid point.
For these unfit parents, getting rid of Peter Boy would be one less mouth for them to feed as well as less responsibility. And as we know, child raising is not easy and it’s a full-time job. FYI, I am not defending these cretins. As far as I am concerned, they can spend the rest of their lives in Hell. God Bless Peter Boy. May he rest in peace.
Just the opposite. By having more children, parents can get more welfare and other government handouts. More like this father should have NEVER had children because he was an out of control abusive person who beat his kids, probably even to the point of beating one of them to death.
I KNOW EXACTLY “What the heck are you talking about”—-EVERYONE SHARED and RESPECTED and someone would have intervened when they saw the FIRST SIGNS (maybe a Hanai Family(?)). (“It takes a Village to raise a child”..)
Right on. Great County team…Honolulu wake-up!
Hawaii time?
Now if they can only get a conviction.
Ay, there’s the rub.
WHY BAIL?
It would be so good to see justice done in this sad case. So terrible that so many parents can’t appreciate that their children are gifts to be nurtured and treasured. RIP, Peter Boy.
both of them have the same looking eyes. both of them comes from the same direction. most married people end up having the same looking eyes.
Former Admin Prosecutor’s were too afraid they couldn’t prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt so they cancelled a planned indictment many years ago. The Kema’s statements were completely refuted by original investigators, including the trip to Oahu. Sad this case should have been put to rest many years ago.
20 years later ? Wow we sure have the most Incompetent people who work for the city and state. Worthless !!!!
SA, surely you can report with more detail about what’s happening here. Why did it take so long? What new evidence has been discovered that led to this arrest?
Please, do some real reporting.
All I have to to say to that mother, Mrs. Kema. Its time to tell the real truth and make things pono with God for the sake of your poor baby, who never deserved either of you as parents. Stop defending that scumbag husband of yours. I hope you make the right decision and come clean or you will continue to live the remainder of your life in hell on earth & beyond, as you have been for the past 19 years. There is no turning back anymore so do what you know in your heart is the right thing. You owe that poor child at least that much. Rest in Love PBK Jr….we pray for justice and peace for the remaining siblings.
So who is going to flip on who when the prosecutors start offering deals. It will be interesting.
despicable pilau people, murderers