Hawaii : Jubiliee “Maile” Lum
Honolulu, is the capital and largest city of Hawaii. It is located on the island of Oahu, is not only the political and economic hub of Hawaii but also a global gateway, serving as a major center for international business, military defense, and tourism. The city's name itself means "sheltered harbor" in the Hawaiian language.
Honolulu's history is deeply intertwined with the monarchy, as it served as the seat of the Hawaiian Kingdom before its overthrow in 1893. The 'Iolani Palace, a grand structure in downtown Honolulu, was the official residence of Hawaiian monarchs and remains the only royal palace on U.S. soil.
In terms of statistics, Honolulu has a population of over 340,000 residents, making up about 70% of Oahu's total population. The city is a melting pot of cultures with influences from Native Hawaiians, Asians, Pacific Islanders, and mainland Americans.
Waikiki Beach, situated in the heart of Honolulu, is world-renowned for its iconic surf and sunsets. However, the city offers more than just beachfront paradise. The Punchbowl Crater, officially known as the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, stands as a tribute to those who served in the U.S. military.
Honolulu's unique position as the world's most remote major city adds to its allure. The nearest continental landmass, California, is over 2,300 miles away.
While Honolulu is a haven for surfers, sunbathers, and history enthusiasts, it also embraces its thriving arts and culinary scenes. The Honolulu Museum of Art showcases an impressive collection spanning centuries and cultures, while the city's vibrant food scene offers a fusion of flavors influenced by its diverse community.
Neighborhood scout gives Honolulu a crime index of 8 with your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime 1 in 390. Even with these numbers, Honolulu still sits below the state and national averages. One area in particular that we will be talking about today is the Chinatown neighborhood of Honolulu. Chinatown is situated on the western portion of central Honolulu. Just blocks from the Harbor Fishery Management area. According to Hawaii-guide.com, this area of Honolulu is particularly rough. Even now it says there are places you shouldn’t be after dark. In 1999, when this crime occurred, the stats were slightly lower than current crime rates, however, the amount of reported murders had increased from the previous year.
Jubilee Lum was born to Melva Casper and Richard Lum on November 26 1977 on the island of Oahu. She was one of 6 kids. Her family described her as loveable, kind, and nurturing. Her family and friends called her Maile,
There isn’t a lot of information about Maile’s childhood but as she came into her teenage years she fell in with a rough crowd and told others she enjoyed a “life on the streets”.
At 13 she was called to the streets of Chinatown. Over the years, she worked for an escort service answering phones and even worked as a sex worker in Chinatown as well. She had a few run-ins with law enforcement but was making significant strides towards improving her future. In January of 1999, she had enrolled in some adult education classes and was engaged to Ambrocio Lazaro. They had been together for a while and were making plans to get married on Maile’s 22nd birthday in November of 1999. Even with these life changes, Maile still would find herself in Chinatown, working and partying. Her fiance picked her up from the area on more than one occasion and brought her home.Then 21 year old Maile was living with family in the Kalihi neighborhood on the nights she didn’t stay out. There are conflicting reports about Mailee being a member of the unhoused community but her family have been vocal about her having a home. She knew that she could come home and did on occasion.
Maile’s fiance was admitted to the hospital for heart problems where he remained under observation for quite some time
On Sunday, August 22, 1999, Ambrocio was discharged. Once he was home, he attempted to reach out to Maile but was unsuccessful.
The next day Maile was seen downtown on Hotel Street in the early morning hours getting into a white or light colored older model Ford Econoline van. Ambrocio continued to reach out trying to get ahold of Maile but again was not able to make contact.
Tuesday, August 24, 1999, around 11:30 am, an employee of Beretania Florist on South Beretania Street is outside behind the shop. They checked the dumpsters and surrounding areas as part of their job duties and did not report anything amiss.
About an hour later, the employee goes back outside again, and this time finds a plastic garbage bag in front of the dumpster. I’m not entirely sure how this went from one person finding this trash bag to three people lifting it, but in several articles it was reported that it took three employees to lift this bag and put it into the dumpster. Of course the sheer weight of the bags peeked their attention as to what could possibly be in these trash bags and one employee, Nicole, grabbed a florist's knife and in one corner cut through several layers of heavy duty trash bags. Nicole was quoted that she had thought she saw a dark strand of hair and then blood on her knife and then she stopped and contacted law enforcement.
When police arrive to begin their investigation, they find Maile’s nude body in the thick heavy duty garbage bags. Her identity would later be confirmed with fingerprints. According to a statement in The Honolulu Advertiser, Lt. Allen Napoleon stated there were no obvious injuries or cause of death. He stated her body was found intact. They believe Maile was strangled or asphyxiated and according to an article in the Honolulu Star Bulletin an autopsy would confirm this later. It also would confirm that Maile was 4 months pregnant. Her mother knew this but did not have any knowledge of who the father may be.
Law enforcement puts out a plea to the community asking for anyone who may have seen someone in the Beretania Florist or Total Gym’s parking lot between 10am and 1pm to please reach out. This is after all in the middle of the day, surely someone saw something. A tip came in that a purple and turquoise truck was seen pulling away during that time frame but whether or not it was connected to Maile’s death is unsure.
Beretania Florists is located just over 2 miles from Hotel Street where Maile was last seen alive.
On September 11, 1999, Maile’s family was able to lay her to rest.
In an article released in the Honolulu Star Bulletin on September 22, 1999, an incarcerated man that went by the name “Shadow” told law enforcement that Maile was working for the escort service, “Petite Pleasures”. Shadow was incarcerated for promoting prostitution at the time. He told officers that Maile worked with another woman who had died. Michelle Bensinger.
Michelle had been a business associate of Shadow’s for about 4 years and he knew Michelle was running the escort service and that Maile was working there answering phone calls. He stated he knew Maile for about 7 months. Michelle’s decomposed body was found on Kaukonahua Road in Waialua just two weeks before Maile was found. In the same article, Lt. Napoleon stated he isn’t sure if the two are connected or not. There are similar victimologies but they could not say without a doubt they could have both fallen victim to the same perpetrator. Michelle’s death is still listed as a “suspicious unattended death” because experts were not able to determine her cause of death.
Over a year after Maile’s murder, the FBI stepped in to look at the files. They also compared them to another murder that occurred on another island.
The investigations have since stalled. In 2006, police put out a press release again asking for information. From here, there is no coverage of Maile’s murder. Her story never made national news, her family is still seeking answers.
If you have any information about Maile’s murder, or saw a vehicle or person near the Beretania Florist shop or Total Gym, please contact CrimeStoppers at 808.955.8300 or contact the Criminal Investigation Division of the Honolulu Police Department at 808.529.3111.
The Ford Econoline van was white or light colored model between 1987-1990. It had doors that swing out on the side and had windows.
