Visitor attacked in Waikiki as mother’s purse is snatched

A 29-year-old Japanese visitor sustained serious injuries when he attempted to stop thieves who allegedly targeted his mother in a purse-snatching in Waikiki.

The robbery occurred at about 10:30 p.m. Monday near the Waikiki Sand Villa Hotel on Ala Wai Boulevard.

Police said two men exited a vehicle and grabbed a bag from a 63-year-old woman who was walking back to the hotel with her son after celebrating her birthday.

Her son intervened. Police said the perpetrators assaulted him and fled in a vehicle occupied by two other men. The woman’s husband was visiting Hawaii with them but was not with them during the incident.

Jessica Lani Rich, president and CEO of the Visitor Aloha Society of Hawaii, said the son was struck in the face with the butt of a pistol.

“They have a wonderful feeling about Hawaii. However, when they were assaulted, this pretty much affected their short stay here on the islands,” Rich said.

Police and Emergency Medical Services responded. Paramedics treated the victim for an eye injury and possible head injury. He was taken in serious condition to a hospital.

Descriptions of the thieves were not immediately available, and Honolulu police have launched a first-degree robbery investigation. There are no arrests at this time.

Honolulu police refer certain cases to VASH, which helps victims of similar incidents. Rich said one way VASH has accommodated the family was by providing transportation to a new hotel, and it also will provide them transportation to the airport on Thanksgiving Day, when they are scheduled to leave Hawaii.

“We have advised visitors throughout the years — our mantra, so to speak — to please keep your valuables in your hotel safe,” she said. “If you go out at night and if somebody robs you or if you lose your purse or if you lose your wallet, if you only take only what you need for that particular night … you are still going to have 90% of what you came to Hawaii with.”

Data from HPD shows that there have been 12 Waikiki robberies so far in November, 50% more than all of the robberies in September (five) and October (three) combined.