Hawaii girl's adoptive parents arrested for murder 2 months after reporting her missing

HONOLULU (TCD) -- A missing 6-year-old girl’s adoptive parents were arrested Wednesday two months after reporting her missing.

The Honolulu Police Department announced they took Isaac and Lehua Kalua into custody for second-degree murder. Isaac and Lehua told police Isabella "Ariel" Kalua was last seen Sept. 12 at approximately 9 p.m. inside her home on Puha Street in Waimanalo. Her parents reported her missing the next morning.

Interim Honolulu Police Department Chief Rade Vanic said in a press conference Wednesday, "What began as a search for a missing girl turned into a murder investigation focused on the Kaluas."

Vanic said the evidence they gathered "points to the Kaluas and no one else."

Maj. Ben Moszkowicz said investigators obtained warrants to search the Kalua’s home and vehicles. Lehua was taken into custody at their home on Puha Street and Isaac at the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard where he works.

Moszkowicz also shed some light on the timeline of Ariel’s death. He said, "Based on the investigation conducted by the homicide detail, we believe that Ariel was murdered sometime in the middle of August 2021 by her adoptive parents. It’s worth noting this time element is a full month before Ariel was reported missing to the police as a missing person."

Moszkowicz said Ariel’s cause of death remains under investigation and her remains have not yet been found.

Lieutenant Deena Thoemmes with the homicide division said they believe foul play is involved. She said, "The initial information reported by Isaac and Lahua on Sept. 13 was false."

Moszkowicz said in the press conference investigators are hoping to speak with people who may have seen or interacted with the Ariel and her sisters any time between 2019 and August 2021.

Moszkowicz said some of Ariel’s other siblings are in the custody of Child Welfare Services.

According to KITV-TV, Isaac and Lehua Kalua are being held without bail.

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