Dateline NBC Talking Dateline: The Bucket Hat Mystery
Oct 8, 2025
Keith Morrison, a veteran Dateline correspondent, dives into the intriguing Bucket Hat Mystery, involving the tragic murder of acupuncturist Jon Tokuhara in Hawaii. The investigation unearths a web of love, jealousy, and betrayal, ultimately leading to Eric Thompson's conviction. Keith reveals how crucial CCTV footage and a fallen bucket hat played pivotal roles in the case. He also shares insights from a juror reflecting on courtroom deliberations and discusses community reactions, as well as the complexities of the relationships at the heart of this gripping story.
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Beloved Local Acupuncturist
- Keith Morrison described John Tokuhara returning home to Wapahu after training as an acupuncturist and running a popular clinic.
- He portrayed Tokuhara as beloved in his tight-knit Hawaiian community with many women attracted to him.
Pivoting When Authorities Decline
- Investigative constraints forced the Dateline team to pivot from typical sources to creative storytelling techniques.
- They used investigator Liz Thompson and CCTV footage to carry the narrative when authorities declined on-camera participation.
CCTV Reveals Bucket-Hat Figure
- A junior HPD officer found hours of CCTV showing a strangely dressed person with a bucket hat walking toward the clinic and disappearing near the door.
- The footage captured the suspect leaving and returning within minutes, making the video central to the case.