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4 more parents arrested in fireworks blast
By Peter Boylan|Jan. 31st, 2025
Two mothers and two fathers were arrested Wednesday in connection with an Aliamanu party that ended when a large stash of illegal aerial fireworks was accidentally ignited Jan. 1, killing five people and sending dozens to hospitals with critical injuries.
Six people have been arrested so far during the investigation.
A “cake” filled with about 50 individual cartridges of aerial fireworks fell on its side and shot into two crates of fireworks, setting off a large explosion at about 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 that was recorded by eyewitnesses and drones, shared online and broadcast on TV.
More arrests, charges and an investigation with federal law enforcement into the source and supply chain reportedly are forthcoming.
Police seized more than 500 pounds of unexploded illegal fireworks from cars belonging to guests attending the party at 4144 Keaka Drive and in the carport of the home.
Honolulu Police Chief Arthur “Joe” Logan said the Jan. 1 tragedy was the deadliest fireworks-related incident since 2011, when a Waikele storage facility holding seized fireworks exploded, killing four people and injuring two others.
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Honolulu Police Lt. Deena Thoemmes, head of the department’s homicide and strategic enforcement detail, told reporters during a news conference Thursday that some of the witnesses interviewed gave police false statements or refuse to cooperate.
“It is unfortunate that some of these individuals have been uncooperative with detectives and have refused to provide statements about what happened that night that the lives and properties were destroyed. They have chosen to protect themselves instead of being the voice for their loved ones who have died or are currently in critical condition at hospitals,” said Thoemmes. “We have further learned that some individuals who were initially interviewed provided false statements. Hindering prosecution is a crime, and those who do so will face charges.”
Thoemmes urged everyone contacted by detectives to avoid prosecution and cooperate.
At 4:18 p.m. Wednesday at 4364 Likini St., Jessica Kaye Ferrer, 38, and Cedric Turalva Benigno, 35, were arrested on suspicion of four counts of first-degree endangering the welfare of a minor, first-degree reckless endangerment and three fireworks offenses.
Ferrer and Benigno allegedly allowed their four minor children to play with illegal fireworks. All four of their kids were wounded in the blast, taken to hospitals, treated and released.
At 4:30 p.m. Wednesday at 94-0115 Aiea Heights Drive, Daniel Ikaika Combis, 32, and Sherri Ho, 29, were arrested on suspicion of two counts of first-degree endangering the welfare of a minor, first-degree reckless endangerment and three fireworks offenses.
They allegedly allowed their two minor children to ignite illegal fireworks. Their kids were not injured in the explosion.
Both couples are in police custody pending a decision on charges by the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney.
At 2:30 p.m. Friday, Ruben T. Mateo, 33, and Jewel Ann Quines Cabras, 33, were arrested at 4144 Keaka Drive on suspicion of first-degree reckless endangering, first- degree endangering the welfare of a minor and three fireworks offenses.
The couple ignited illegal fireworks and also allowed their three children, ages 15, 10 and 1, to set them off. The youngest child was injured during the explosion and was transported to a nearby hospital for medical treatment before being released.
They were released pending further investigation.
On Tuesday, Kevin Vallesteros died in an Arizona hospital at 6:42 a.m. Hawaii time from injuries suffered in the explosion. The 29-year-old father of an infant child is the fifth fatality tied to the explosion at the house party.
His girlfriend, Melissa Cabrera, is being treated in Arizona for the injuries she suffered in the blast.
Carmelita Benigno, 61, Nelie Ibarra, 58, and Jennifer Van, 23, died in the blast at 12:01 a.m. New Year’s Day.
Cassius Ramos-Benigno, 3, died Jan. 6 at the hospital.
Benigno was the grandmother of Ramos-Benigno, and Ibarra was the child’s great-aunt. Benigno’s son Junior and her daughter Charmaine Benigno were among the six people flown to an Arizona burn center.
Ramos-Benigno was the only child taken by ambulance to a hospital. Thirteen ambulances transported 21 people to hospitals, 19 of them in critical condition with burns.
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