Hawaii couple attacked in Kalihi neighborhood
By Peter Boylan
Advertiser Staff Writer
Police have opened an attempted-murder investigation after a husband and wife were attacked Sunday by two men who were drinking and hanging out in a large group near the couple's car in Kalihi.
The attackers were among a group of about 15 people in the area of 755 Umi St. at about 11:10 p.m. Sunday, police said.
It was the second incident in three days in which a group of people turned violent. On Friday in Ma'ili, a 5-year-old child in a car escaped serious injury when a mob attacked the vehicle's adult occupants.
The incidents were not connected, police said.
In the Kalihi incident on Sunday, the couple saw someone smashing the window of their vehicle, police said.
The husband yelled at the group and was attacked by the two men. Police said one of the men was carrying a knife.
The wife tried to intervene and her arm was slashed, police said.
The husband suffered cuts to the head, back and hand. The attackers and others fled in three vehicles.
The couple drove to a hospital and reported the incident to police. The suspects had not been found or identified, as of yesterday. The couple was unable to describe the men, police said.
On Friday, police were called to the 87-1600 block of Farrington Highway at 6:15 p.m.
A Ma'ili man, 32, was arrested on suspicion of assault and criminal property damage while a Ma'ili woman, 20, was arrested on suspicion of criminal property damage.
Both were released at 4:43 p.m. Sunday pending further investigation.
According to police, two men, ages 25 and 31, fled from a car when it was surrounded by a large group of people. A 5-year-old child was left inside.
The 32-year-old Ma'ili man allegedly repeatedly punched the 25-year-old man, and beat him with a small club, the victims told police.
The man then allegedly used the club to smash the rear window of the car. Shattered glass fell on and around the child.
Police said the 20-year-old woman threw a beer bottle through the rear window of the car, but it missed the child.
Reach Peter Boylan at pboylan@honoluluadvertiser.com.
