Full Breakdown
Tulsi Gabbard’s Brother Charged After Alleged Approach to Children at Waikiki Hotel
7/18/2026, 8:45:44 PM
Alleged Incident and Charges
On Friday, June 18, 2026, Batarti Gabbard—also known as Bhakti and identified as the brother of former national intelligence director and former Hawaii congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard—was arrested in Honolulu and charged with second-degree custodial interference. According to Honolulu Police Department statements, the 55-year-old approached several children, including a 9-year-old boy, at the pool of a Waikiki hotel around 2 p.m. He offered gum and money, invited the children to his hotel room, asked for their names, and recorded the information in a notebook. The children declined and he left the scene.
Family Background and Recent Public Roles
Batarti Gabbard is the son of state Senator Mike Gabbard, who represents the Kapolei, Makakilo, Ewa, and Ko Olina districts. His sister, Tulsi Gabbard, previously served as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Hawaii’s 2nd congressional district and later as the director of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence under the Biden administration. The family has been prominent in Hawaii politics for decades.
Official Responses
State Senator Mike Gabbard told Hawaii News Now that his son is experiencing a mental-health episode. He added that Batarti Gabbard has a history of drug use and was admitted to a hospital for a psychiatric evaluation on the afternoon of the arrest. Police have not released further comment beyond the description of the alleged conduct.
Legal and Procedural Details
- Charge: Custodial interference in the second degree.
- Age of suspect: 55 years.
- Time of incident: Approximately 2 p.m. on June 18, 2026.
- Location: Pool area of a Waikiki hotel.
- Immediate outcome: Arrest and hospital admission for psychiatric evaluation; no further legal actions reported at the time of writing.
