Hawaii couple who adopted 6-year-old girl now charged with her murder

Update from social media:

(Please note that these are social media posts. They may or may not be true. Please wait for official confirmation before believing this info).

Social media users online have alleged that the “Kaluas have a history of abusing children.”

They “refused to allow the authorities to search their home.” The house was “first searched on Wednesday and the coroner was called in.”

“The neighborhood knew of the girl’s abuse as she was made to sleep outside the house.”

Original Article

Hawaii couple who adopted 6-year-old Isabella “Ariel” Kalua and reported her missing 2 months ago have now been charged with her murder.

Ariel’s remains are yet to be discovered as investigations are taking place at a Pearl Harbor shipyard and her home. Hundreds of volunteers and law enforcement officers went on a search when Ariel was first reported missing on September 13.

The adoptive parents had told Police that Ariel disappeared in September. Investigators however, believe that to be a lie and believe the girl was murdered a month before she was reported missing.

The arrests for Isaac and his wife Lehua Kalua came minutes after 7AM on Wednesday. They have been held without bail on second-degree murder charges.

The authorities have avoided discussing details of the case publicly but believe the evidence leads to the Kaluas.

Honolulu Police Department had initially directed the case as a missing persons’ investigation. Officers were immediately sent to the area and conducted an extensive search for about 8 days.

The search involved over 400 volunteers and over 200 Honolulu Police officers. The military had also helped in the search.

“Dedicated community members” had continued searching long after the original 8-day search, but were unable to find the girl’s remains.

On October 21, the Police announced a $10,000 reward for anyone having information leading to the person behind the disappearance of Ariel.

Investigators believe Ariel was murdered in mid-August by her adoptive parents. It is unclear when the search shifted from a missing persons’ to murder.

Witnesses who may have met Ariel, her siblings from 2019 and August of 2021 are being requested to come forward.

Authorities are also requesting people who may have seen or interacted with the Kaluas to come forward here.

Ariel Sellers

Ariel’s birth last name was Sellers. Child Welfare Services had given her custody to the Kaluas.

The Kaluas had also adopted other girls, referred to as Areil’s sisters. The Child Welfare Services have since retaken the custody of Ariel’s sisters.

Ariel Sellers was to celebrate her 7th birthday on November 06, 2021.

On November 10, the community held a candlelight vigil outside the Kalua residence to mark Ariel’s birthday.