UPDATE: THIRD MISSING HAWAIʻI COMMUNITY CORRECTIONAL CENTER INMATE RETURNED TO CUSTODY

HILO, Hawaiʻi — Inmate Clyde T. T. Loa — one of the three inmates who left the Hawaiʻi Community Correctional Center (HCCC) Hale Nani Facility without permission in December 2024 — was returned to custody at approximately 1:30 a.m. Monday, July 28, 2025, at HCCC.

The Hawaiʻi County Police Department apprehended Loa, 31, at the Ainaloa subdivision in Pāhoa Sunday afternoon, July 27, 2025.

He is charged with second-degree escape, first-degree theft, unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle, habitual property crime and two counts of summons or arrest of a defendant on probation — commitment without bail.

The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (DCR) thanks the Hawaiʻi Police Department for its efforts in locating, arresting and returning Loa to custody.

Loa and two other inmates, Joseph C. Fernandez, 36, and Kawai J. Pomroy, 41, were reported missing from Hale Nani Friday, Dec. 13, 2024.

A vehicle belonging to a Hale Nani employee was also discovered missing. Police recovered the employee’s vehicle at the Hawaiian Ocean View Estates subdivision on Dec. 18, 2024.

Police arrested Fernandez at the Ocean View Estates on Dec. 18, 2024. Park rangers at the Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park apprehended Pomroy within the park on Jan. 14, 2025. Both men were subsequently returned to custody at HCCC.

Prior to the arrests of the three inmates, the men were considered community custody, the lowest security custody classification.

(L-R): Clyde T.T. Loa, Kawai J. Pomroy and Joseph C. Fernandez

Media contact:
Rosemarie Bernardo
Public Information Officer
Hawaiʻi Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
Office: 808-587-1358
Cell: 808-683-5507
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://dcr.hawaii.gov