Who is Batarti Gabbard? Tulsi Gabbard's brother charged after alleged Waikiki 'stranger danger' incident

Batarti Gabbard, brother of former national intelligence director Tulsi Gabbard, was arrested and charged with custodial interference in the second degree.

The incident occurred on July 12, 2026, at a Waikiki hotel pool area, where Gabbard allegedly approached children, offered them gum and money to go to his hotel room, and wrote their names in a notebook.

Gabbard was identified and arrested on July 17, 2026; his father, state Senator Mike Gabbard, attributed the behavior to a mental health episode and drug use, and said he was admitted for psychiatric evaluation.