Tulsi Gabbard's Brother Allegedly Lured Kids With Gum and Cash at Waikīkī Hotel

Executive Briefing

• Arrested Bhakti Gabbard, 55, allegedly offered children cash and gum to accompany him to his hotel room in Waikīkī on July 12.
• Charged with second-degree custodial interference; also faces a separate theft charge with a court date set for August 14.
• Father, Hawaii state Sen. Mike Gabbard, attributes behavior to a mental health episode triggered by drug use, including cocaine and methamphetamine.
• Gabbard was hospitalized on a 72-hour psychiatric hold; his wife filed a protective order, which a judge denied.
• Family says he had been stable for a decade before this episode, during which he gave away his car and slept on the streets.