LIHUE — Joseph Hoapili Sr., 50, has pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder in the stabbing death of his wife, Fredlynn.

Hoapili was arraigned in Circuit Court Judge Randal Valenciano's courtroom on Thursday. He was represented by deputy state public defender John Calma.

Kauai County prosecutor Shaylene Iseri-Carvalho has said she will seek life without parole if Hoapili is convicted of second-degree murder. Hoapili was arrested early March 3 at the home he shared with his wife, 53, and son John, 33.

John Hoapili testified in District Court that he saw his father stab his mother multiple times early the morning of March 3 in his parents' bedroom and tried to get him to stop.

Fredlynn Hoapili was pronounced dead at Wilcox Memorial Hospital that morning.

Kauai police records show that between 1995 and Fredlynn Hoapili's death, police responded to five instances of family abuse or assault in which Joseph Hoapili was arrested. However, abuse charges were later dropped in court.

Joseph Hoapili remains in custody with bond set at $1 million.

Police retrieved a kitchen knife from the Hoapili household as evidence in the case.

A service was held for Fredlynn Hoapili Saturday at Kapaa First Hawaiian Church on Saturday. Arrangements were provided by Borthwick Kauai Mortuary.