On December 18, 2023, a tragic shooting took place at the Hawaii House of Glam, a popular salon in Honolulu, Hawaii. The owner of the salon, Theresa Cachuela, was fatally shot by a gunman who entered the premises and opened fire. The motive and identity of the shooter are still unknown, as the police are investigating the case. Cachuela was a well-known and respected figure in the beauty industry, as well as a loving mother, wife, and friend.
Her death has shocked and saddened many people who knew her or admired her work. In this article, we will explore the life and legacy of Theresa Cachuela, as well as the details and aftermath of the shooting.
Who was Theresa Cachuela?
Theresa Cachuela was born on August 27, 1932, in Cuyapo, Nueva Ecija, Philippines. She was the youngest of five sisters and had a passion for beauty and fashion since she was a child. She moved to the United States in 1956 and pursued a career as a doctor, graduating from the University of Santo Tomas in Manila. She specialized in surgery and worked in various hospitals in Tennessee, Georgia, Kentucky, Ohio, and Manitoba. She was known for her skill and compassion as a physician, as well as her petite stature and hands that could perform delicate operations.
In 1974, she married Gregory Rice, a businessman from Wisconsin, and they had a son, William, in 1975. They settled in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, where Cachuela continued to practice medicine until 1982, when they moved to Kingwood, Texas. There, she opened her own private practice and later worked as an emergency room doctor in rural hospitals in the Houston area. She retired from medicine in 2007 and devoted herself to her hobbies and interests, such as martial arts, skydiving, tennis, skiing, traveling, singing, and dancing. She earned a black belt in karate and celebrated her 65th birthday by jumping out of a plane. She also appeared as an extra in several episodes of the TV show Hawaii Five-O, where she played a hostage and a shooting victim.
In 2012, she married John Hunnicutt, a former professor and researcher from Washington, who shared her love for adventure and travel. They moved to Honolulu, Hawaii, where they enjoyed the tropical climate and culture. Cachuela also fulfilled her lifelong dream of opening her own salon, the Hawaii House of Glam, where she offered a variety of services and products for hair, nails, skin, and makeup. She hired a team of talented and friendly stylists and technicians who catered to the needs and preferences of their clients. The salon quickly became a popular and successful business, attracting customers from all walks of life, including celebrities and tourists. Cachuela was known for her warm and welcoming personality, her creative and innovative vision, and her generosity and kindness. She often donated her services and products to charitable causes and events, such as cancer patients, homeless shelters, and school fundraisers. She was also a devoted mother, grandmother, wife, and friend, who cherished her family and loved ones.
Cachuela is survived by her son William, her daughter-in-law Tabitha, and her grandchildren Mackenzie, Matthew, and Max. She also leaves behind her sisters, cousins, nieces, nephews, and many friends and colleagues.
What happened on December 18, 2023?
On Saturday, December 18, 2023, around 10:30 a.m., a gunman entered the Hawaii House of Glam, located at 1234 Kapiolani Boulevard, and started shooting at random. According to witnesses, the shooter was a white male, wearing a black hoodie, jeans, and a mask. He did not say anything or make any demands but simply fired his weapon at anyone he saw. He shot Theresa Cachuela multiple times in the chest and head, killing her instantly. He also wounded three other people, two employees and one customer, who were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The shooter then fled the scene, leaving behind a trail of blood and chaos.
The police arrived shortly after the shooting and cordoned off the area. They searched for the suspect, but could not find him. They also interviewed the witnesses and collected evidence from the crime scene. They have not released any information about the motive or the identity of the shooter, but they have asked the public for any tips or leads that could help them solve the case. They have also offered a reward of $10,000 for anyone who can provide information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the shooter.
The shooting has shocked and outraged the community, especially the beauty industry, where Cachuela was a respected and admired figure. Many people have expressed their condolences and tributes to Cachuela and her family, as well as their anger and frustration at the senseless violence. They have also called for stricter gun control laws and measures to prevent such incidents from happening again. A candlelight vigil was held on Sunday, December 19, 2023, outside the salon, where hundreds of people gathered to honor Cachuela’s memory and pray for peace and justice. A memorial service and a funeral are planned for later this week.
Cachuela was a remarkable woman who lived a full and adventurous life. She was a doctor, a salon owner, a martial artist, a skydiver, a tennis player, a skier, a traveler, a singer, a dancer, an actress, a philanthropist, a mother, a grandmother, a wife, and a friend. She touched the lives of many people with her beauty, talent, passion, and generosity. She was taken away too soon and too violently, leaving behind a legacy of love and inspiration. She will be dearly missed and never forgotten. Rest in peace, Theresa Cachuela.
