Police Arrest and Charge Hale Nani Escapee Clyde Loa

Hawai‘i Island police have arrested and charged 31-year-old Clyde Takeshi Talosaga Loa Jr., one of three men who escaped from the Hale Nani Correctional Facility in December 2024.

Shortly after 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 27, 2025, police received an anonymous tip that Loa was at a property on Hanale Drive, in the Ainaloa subdivision of Pāhoa. Puna patrol officers responded and observed Loa working on a vehicle. Upon seeing police, Loa attempted to flee, however, officers ran after him and took him into custody without incident at 4:38 p.m.

Upon conferring with the Hawai‘i County Prosecutor’s Office, Loa was charged with the following offenses:

• Two counts summons or arrest of defendant on probation; commitment without bail
• Second-degree escape
• First-degree theft
• Unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle (UCPV)
• Habitual property crime

Loa’s bail was set at $210,000. He was released back to the custody of the Hawaiʻi Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.  

On the evening of Friday, December 13, 2024, Hale Nani Correctional Facility staff reported that Loa, along with 36-year-old Joseph Canito Fernandez and 41-year-old Kawai James Pomroy, left the facility without permission. Surveillance footage showed the three men operating a vehicle belonging to a facility employee, which was later recovered. The two other escapees were previously arrested and returned to the custody of the Hawaiʻi Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.  

Police thank the public for their assistance in providing valuable information that led to Loa’s arrest and continue to encourage anyone with information about wanted individuals to come forward.