Peter Boy publicity
stirs tips on Big Isle

Police will not say if the
information has been helpful

Big Island police have investigated a few new tips on the Peter Boy Kema case since a flurry of publicity following the release of more than 2,000 pages of state documents May 31.

"We've had a little bit that we've followed up on," said Assistant Chief James Day. He said the information is being forwarded to prosecutors.

But Day would not say if the information was helpful to the investigation.

"Any time publicity is out there, good or bad, it generates interest," said First Deputy Prosecutor Charlene Iboshi. She encouraged anyone else with information on the case to contact police.

Peter Boy Kema Jr., then 6, disappeared in 1997 and was reported missing in January 1998. His parents said he was given away to a family friend named Aunty Rose Makuakane.

But police believe Makuakane does not exist and have investigated the case as a homicide.

The parents deny hurting their child and have not been arrested or charged in connection with Kema Jr.'s disappearance.

On May 31 the Department of Human Services released previously secret files on the Peter Boy case in hopes of generating new leads in the investigation and to stimulate discussion on the department's policies.

Among the new information released is a statement by Kema Jr.'s younger sister to a psychologist that she saw her brother dead. Peter Boy's older stepbrother and stepsister also told psychologists and family members about alleged abuse and neglect of the boy.

The release of the documents comes as Big Island prosecutors are conducting a periodic review of evidence in the case to see if charges can be brought forward.

Iboshi said Deputy Prosecutor Mike Kagami, who has been assigned the Kema case, meets monthly with police to discuss developments and is in the process of reviewing several boxes of investigative files.

Department of Human Services Director Lillian Koller said her department has not received any new information or comments on the Peter Boy case since May 31 other than messages of thanks for opening up the documents.

She said the department is planning public meetings on proposals to reform the department and on the Peter Boy case beginning next month.

Information online Peter "Peter Boy" Kema Jr. documents: www.hawaii.gov/dhs Hawaii State Clearinghouse on Missing Children: aloha.hgea.org/hsc/hsc.html National Center for Missing and Exploited Children: www.missingkids.com