Tulsi Gabbard's brother was arrested and charged after he allegedly tried to lure several children to his Waikiki hotel room on Sunday.

Tulsi Gabbard’s brother was arrested and charged after he allegedly tried to lure several children to his Waikiki hotel room on Sunday.

The older brother of former Hawaii Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard was arrested and charged after he allegedly tried to lure several children to his Waikiki hotel room on Sunday.

The suspect, 55-year-old Batarti Gabbard, was charged on Friday, July 17, 2026, in connection to the “stranger danger” incident that occurred at a hotel in Waikiki on Sunday afternoon, July 12.

The Honolulu Police Department (HPD) said that at 2 p.m. on Sunday, the suspect approached several children, including a 9-year-old boy, at a pool area of a Waikiki hotel. He allegedly offered them gum and money to get them to join him in his hotel room.

  • givesomefucks@lemmy.worldEnglish
    912·
    3 days ago

    "Our oldest son Bhakti has had mental issues in the past but has been doing well for the last 10 years. Several days ago, he started acting erratically, as a result of smoking pot. His wife kicked him out of the house, so he’s been sleeping on the streets. He gave away his car to a homeless person; lost his ID and phone and has no money. He’s renamed himself, Batarti, and also Jim Morrison Jr., as he’s having delusions of being a rock star.

    “This afternoon, a family member took him to Queen’s Hospital ER to have a psychological evaluation. Bhakti told the doctor they would find cocaine, ice and pot in his blood tests. And this evening, he was admitted for a 72-hour hold at Queen’s, while they continue to monitor him and decide next steps.”

    I dunno…

    I feel like all the cocaine and meth are more likely explanations than smoking a little weed…

    • TheTechnician27@lemmy.worldEnglish
      55·
      3 days ago

      The far more likely explanation for all of this is a manic episode – worsened, of course, by abusing strong stimulants, but probably not brought on by them.

      • frunch@lemmy.world
        16·
        3 days ago

        This is exactly my thoughts. I’ve had experience with a close friend who is bipolar and when they were manic this completely tracks. Yes, you can blame the drugs on some level but it’s their brain chemistry that’s really behind the crazy shit they do. It’s awful. Luckily they’re better now but it’s something that always looms, you never know if/when things might go south again.