Honolulu, Hawai‘i – Members of Hawai‘i’s Tongan social media community have voiced strong concern and disappointment after a violent attack on Maui left three women and a man injured and resulted in multiple arrests.
The incident, which local media described as a “mobbing,” has sparked widespread discussion among Tongans living in the islands about youth behaviour, community safety, and the growing influence of social media‑fuelled conflicts.
A post circulating on Facebook, listing Tongan names and shared widely across Tongan newsfeeds, appeared to suggest that the accused were Tongans.
According to a report by Hawai‘i News Now, the confrontation unfolded on Friday night at a home in Waiheʻe, Maui.
Witnesses said the incident appeared to have stemmed from a case of mistaken identity, escalating rapidly into a violent assault.
Jazzmin Barner-Fujishiro told the station she was cutting her friend’s hair in the garage when she heard shouting outside, including repeated references to a gang name.
Moments later, she said a group of about 10 individuals crowded into the garage demanding to know the whereabouts of someone named “Mason.”
The confrontation quickly turned physical.
“One of the boys just starts blasting my friend in the chair, and then everyone else starts chiming in and starts blasting the both of us,” Barner-Fujishiro and her partner, Kailipoaiau Keahi-Ng, told the station.
Keahi‑Ng said she attempted to scare the intruders away with a BB gun, but was overpowered.
“All of a sudden, you see me on the ground with him on top of me, and then there’s two other boys on top of me, and then another boy falls on me,” she said.
The couple and their friends suffered multiple injuries, including cuts, swelling, and suspected fractures. They were later taken to hospital for treatment.
Maui police arrested two suspects — a 19‑year‑old from Kīhei and an 18‑year‑old from Utah — on burglary charges. Both were held on $5,000 bail. A third suspect, a 26‑year‑old from Kīhei, was also arrested and later released pending further investigation.
The victims said they remain fearful in the aftermath of the attack.
“We don’t feel safe at home… I spent all night looking at our camera footage to see if anyone was going to show up again,” Keahi‑Ng said.
Tongan Community Reacts With Disappointment
On Facebook, Tongan community pages across Hawai‘i — particularly those followed by youth and young families — lit up with posts condemning the attack.
Many expressed deep disappointment, saying the violent behaviour displayed by the group in the video circulating online reflects poorly on Tongans in the islands, regardless of whether the suspects are Tongan or simply associated with Pacific Island communities.
Community members urged parents and churches to address youth aggression, substance use, and unmanaged disputes that often spill onto social media.
Several commenters stressed that Hawai‘i’s Tongan community has worked hard for decades to maintain a reputation for respect, unity, and Christian values, and they fear that such incidents can harm community relationships with neighbours and law enforcement.
