Puna’s dark side: How a peaceful community faced sudden violence
# **Tragedy Strikes Puna’s Hidden Paradise**
## **A Community in Shock**
Puna, a tranquil enclave on Hawaii’s Big Island, known for its off-grid lifestyle and tight-knit residents, was rocked by a chilling series of murders. Three elderly men—Robert Shine, John Carse, and an unnamed 79-year-old—were found dead within days of each other. What united them was little more than their shared love for Puna’s slow, tropical way of life. Shine, a familiar face at drum circles, was known for his joyful presence, while Morse, a California transplant of decades, cultivated an abundant fruit garden that he freely shared with neighbors. The third victim’s story remains largely unknown.
## **The Accused: Jacob Baker**
Jacob Baker, a 36-year-old transient, now faces charges for the killings. Neighbors describe his recent erratic behavior, and police records reveal a history of violent disputes. Baker had clashed with locals, invoking “squatter’s rights” on a property and allegedly threatening a woman who sought a restraining order. Two other women had previously filed similar claims, but a judge dismissed them due to insufficient evidence.
The Work-Trade Connection
Baker’s link to the victims? His past reliance on work-trade arrangements. He once lived on Janelle Honer’s land, tending to her coconut trees in exchange for shelter. After departing, he returned, demanding to stay—until Honer’s friends urged her to seek legal action. The murders occurred shortly after two women filed harassment complaints against him.
Puna’s Darker Reality
Beyond its reputation as a healing escape, Puna grapples with poverty, drugs, and scarce resources. Tiffany Edwards Hunt, a longtime resident, warns, “Hawaii can either welcome you or destroy you.” The area’s affordable land lures dreamers, but its challenges can be overwhelming.
The Arrest and Haunting Footage
The break in the case came when neighbors Mark Wyatt and Richard Valdez reviewed security footage, capturing Baker near Carse’s home—barefoot, shirtless, and seemingly trying to evade detection. Police later discovered him in a cave, where he had constructed a crude shelter from stolen cushions and palm fronds. Valdez, who once rented space from Baker years ago, struggles to reconcile the man he knew with the accused killer.
