Honolulu police say they are investigating an attack on Oahu’s North Shore in which lifeguard Kekoa Tamale stepped in while a teenage boy was beaten by a group he described as a mix of men and high schoolers. Tamale says bystanders filmed the assault and the g
Saturday night on Oahu’s North Shore began like a night out, Tamale said—until it turned into something he couldn’t stop.
Kekoa Tamale. a 23-year-old lifeguard. told investigators are needed because he says a mob of about a dozen people attacked a 15-year-old family friend while others stood nearby with phones. Tamale said he tried to save the teenager from the group. but the situation spiraled twice—first as the teen was dragged out and held down. and then as the same group turned on Tamale.
He said the first encounter happened during a party at Pipeline. Tamale recalled that a boy punched him in the back of the head “for no reason.” When Tamale turned and asked what was happening, he said two more boys came from behind: one tackled him, and then “they all run.”
Tamale said he later found the same group at a North Shore spot known as “Dead Man’s Curve. ” where he estimated about a dozen people targeted his teen friend. He described the scene as the group dragged the 15-year-old out of a car and held him down. Tamale said the people involved were a mix of men and high schoolers. and that the teen was being restrained while others kicked and punched him.
Tamale said one of the aggressors had the boy in a hog tie while others attacked. “The fact that they had him, holding him, it’s like torture, it’s like torture, like holding him, holding his legs. It’s disgusting,” he said.
He stepped in by tackling one of the attackers. Instead of intervening, Tamale said other bystanders recorded the beating on their phones. “Everyone was either filming. laughing. or ran. so no one was helping this boy and if I didn’t do anything. he would’ve died. ” Tamale said. He also said the attack was posted on TikTok.
The 15-year-old was able to run off and get help, but Tamale said the group then began beating him. He described moments when the attackers tried to drown him. including a time when a boy had his hair and pushed him into the water. Tamale said that every time he tried to get up and back up, someone would try to tackle him.
Afterward, Tamale said he was bruised and scarred “from head to toe” and listed injuries he said he suffered during the attack. He told an interview he had a broken hand, a broken eye socket, reconstructive surgery on his eye, and a concussion.
A family friend of Tamale and the teen boy, Jake Withrow, said the violence should never have happened. “That should’ve never happened, shouldn’t happen to anybody. It’s horrible.” Withrow described the 15-year-old as a gifted athlete and an honor roll student. adding. “That’s family and it’s hard seeing a loved one like that be in pain and be beaten so badly.”.
Family members of the 15-year-old boy asked to protect his identity, and they did not want to do an interview.
The case drew additional attention after video circulated on popular social media pages, including Stolen Stuff Hawaii. Michael Kitchens. the founder of Stolen Stuff Hawaii. said the brutality shown in the video was among the worst he’d seen posted there. saying. “The amount of brutality that was. you know. that I saw in that video. It’s some of the worst I’ve seen ever posted to SSH, ever.”.
The Honolulu Police Department’s District 4 command said it is working to identify the people involved. In its statement. the department said. “We are actively investigating this incident to identify and locate those responsible.” It added that community members with information that could identify suspects or corroborate complainant or witness statements should notify the Honolulu Police Department through Crime Stoppers.
The statement also asked for additional video: “If there is additional video, aside from what is currently posted on social media, please submit it to the HPD, Crime Stoppers.” People can call the hotline 955-8300 or submit a tip via the P3 Tips mobile app.
To help Tamale and the other victim, family members set up a GoFundMe.
For Tamale, the lasting impact is not only the injuries he described—it’s the moment he said he realized no one else would step in. He kept coming back to the same detail: phones out, laughter and running, and a teen left fighting for his life.
Honolulu police North Shore Kekoa Tamale lifeguard 15-year-old Pipeline Dead Man’s Curve hog tie TikTok Stolen Stuff Hawaii Crime Stoppers P3 Tips GoFundMe