Honolulu police arrest inmate who failed to return from work furlough

Aug 29, 2026

An Oahu inmate who did not come back from a work furlough pass has been caught, ending a short manhunt on the island.

  • Jonie Popa, 46, missed his Friday night deadline to return to custody and was declared an escapee soon after.
  • Police searched overnight and arrested him Saturday afternoon in the Pearl Ridge area.
  • He is serving time for first-degree assault on a law enforcement officer.
  • The case is another test of Hawaii's work furlough program, which lets some inmates leave custody during the day.

Outlook: Popa faces added escape-related consequences, and the lapse may bring more scrutiny of who qualifies for furlough passes.

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