Hawaii Island police arrested a Hamakua man in connection with a stabbing incident in Honokaa.
At 8:24 p.m., Tuesday, police responded to the Hale Hoola Hamakua Emergency Room after a Honokaa man arrived by private vehicle with apparent stab wounds to his body. The 34-year-old victim told police he and his assailant were sitting in his (victim’s) vehicle on Kamakawiwoole Church Road when he was attacked by the suspect following a disagreement. The victim was later transported by ambulance to the North Hawaii Community Hospital where he remains in guarded condition.
At 1:30 a.m., Wednesday the suspect, 29-year-old Michael Varize Jr., also of Honokaa, was located in Waimea and arrested without incident for second-degree assault. He was taken to the Hilo cellblock while detectives with the Area I Criminal Investigation Section continue the investigation.
Anyone who may have witnessed, or have any information about this incident is asked to call the Police Department’s non-emergency line at 935-3311 or Detective Jesse Kerr of the Area I Criminal Investigation Section at 961-2377.
or http://Jesse.Kerr@hawaiicounty.gov.