[ "Puna, a remote and eclectic stretch of Hawaiʻi’s Big Island, has long been known for its off‑grid, bohemian lifestyle. Yet the recent deaths of three senior men, all nearing their 70s, have shaken the community and raised unsettling questions about safety and justice on the island’s volcanic coastline.", "Jacob Baker, a 36‑year‑old inhabitant of the area, was arrested less than 24 hours after the first body was discovered. Residents are still trying to make sense of the sudden arrest and wonder why authorities identified Baker as the primary suspect in the killings.", "Baker is being held on charges that include murder, burglary and other offenses. Over the past two decades, his court docket contains 20 other cases, many of them traffic infractions. In most of those cases, he represented himself, leaving the jury with limited familiarity with his past.", "The victims were a 69‑year‑old man found partially submerged in a cement pond, a 79‑year‑old man just a few hundred feet away, and a third 69‑year‑old man whose body was located about 19 miles away. Called Robert Shine, John Carse, and Chitta Morse respectively, the men were close in age but otherwise unrelated.", "Police Chief Reed Mahuna said investigators found no reliable link between the victims, apart from two of them living near each other. The bodies were identified by forensic examination and relatives’ confirmation.", "Friends and neighbors noted that Shine had moved into Puna two decades ago to enjoy the community’s free‑spirited lifestyle, living in a shared commune that is now closed by the county for code violations. His latest pastime involved dancing to drum circles every Sunday, a habit noted by fellow drummer Donald Hyatt.", "Senator Ezra “Bob” Shien, a community neighbour, fondly remembered Shine’s permanent smile and his love of dance. He also recalled that Shine spent his days living off the land and sharing the fruits he harvested with anyone who came by.", "Morse, who had moved from Van Nuys, California 40 years earlier, sought to live off‑grid, eat fruit, and consume raw food. After arriving on the island, he added a “fruit forest” to his plot, growing coconut, avocado, durian, and other tropical crops. He was known for his generosity, giving away much of the harvest to neighbors.", "Janelle Honer, who also grew fruit on Papaya Farms Road, was the common link between Baker and the victims. Baker had worked on Honer’s property trimming coconut trees in exchange for living accommodations, a customary work‑trade arrangement in Puna.", "Recollections of Baker differ: Hyatt says he had left Honer’s cabin months ago, then returned recently claiming “squatter’s rights” and threatening Honer, which led Hyatt to advise her to seek a restraining order.", "Just days before the killings, two women filed temporary restraining orders against Baker for alleged harassment and threats at a farm. A judge denied the orders, citing insufficient evidence. Both women later requested legal protection, but were denied again.", "The investigation was aided by surveillance footage from the adjoining neighborhoods of Mark Wyatt and Richard Valdez. A camera caught Baker on their property, barefoot and shirtless, and attempting to evade vehicles by ducking under traffic. The footage helped police locate him before he was found in a hidden camping spot on a bluff.", "Baker reportedly hid near Wyatt’s property, where he had been living for six months in the past. When found, he was in a small cave with a makeshift camp, covered by coconut tree palm fronds. He had also stolen couch cushions from a nearby container and charcoal.", "Puna is one of the few places in Hawaiʻi where land is affordable. However, infrastructure struggles to keep pace with growth, increasing the risks of informal settlements, drug use, poverty, and other social challenges. As a result, community members rely heavily on mutual support.", "Pastoral jurisdiction in Puna, as represented by Ashley Kierkiewicz on the county council, emphasizes the delicate balance between welcoming new residents and maintaining public safety. “Puna is resilient,” Kierkiewicz said, but also cautions that newcomers might find the island both kind and unforgiving.", "The community mourned the loss of three men of similar age but diverse backgrounds. A memorial is scheduled for the Saturday after the incident at a site adjacent to Honer’s property. The town’s collective grief serves as a reminder that even the most idyllic off‑grid communities are susceptible to violence.", "The case remains an open investigation, with court records updated weekly. Residents are urged to remain vigilant, cooperate with authorities and continue the tradition of mutual aid in the face of unforeseen tragedy." ]