Kurtistown Man Charged With Attempted Murder After Neighbor Dispute

A 61-year-old Kurtistown man has been charged with attempted murder following an early morning neighbor dispute in Tiki Gardens in the Ainaloa subdivision of Puna.

Kelley O. Calvert was charged on Monday with second-degree attempted murder, first-degree terroristic threatening, first-degree assault against a law enforcement officer, and resisting arrest, the Hawaii Police Department stated in a news release Monday, March 14. 

Calvert is being held in lieu of $272,000 bail, pending his initial court appearance scheduled for Tuesday in Hilo District Court.

The charges stem from an early morning incident that occurred on Paradise Court in Tiki Gardens, the department stated.

Shortly after 6:00 a.m., Puna patrol officers responded to a report of a male victim who had reportedly been threatened with a large kitchen knife and then intentionally struck with a vehicle being operated by the suspect. The 58-year-old victim was transported via ambulance to Hilo Medical Center, where he was treated and later released.

During the course of the investigation, it was reported that Calvert had gone to the victim’s residence yelling about killing a dog. He then verbally threatened to kill the victim. Calvert then left the area.

A short time later, Calvert returned and stopped his vehicle fronting the victim’s residence. He exited his vehicle and threatened to kill the victim and then began chasing him with a large kitchen knife. The victim retreated to his property. Calvert got back into his vehicle and intentionally drove directly towards the victim, striking him and colliding with a parked vehicle. After striking the victim and the parked vehicle, Calvert again left the area.

When officers later responded to Calvert’s residence they observed his vehicle in the open carport and saw Calvert immediately retreat into the residence.

Officers verbally engaged with Calvert, who was seen holding a large kitchen knife, however, Calvert initially refused to exit the house and verbally threatened officers. After negotiating with Calvert for a short time, he exited the residence and was arrested. During the course of being taken into custody, Calvert physically resisted arrest and assaulted one of the officers. The officer was treated by medics.

Detectives from the Area I Criminal Investigation Section responded to the scene and continue the investigation. Search warrants were later executed on Calvert’s residence, as well as his vehicle.

Police ask anyone who may have witnessed the incident on Paradise Court to contact the police department’s non-emergency number at 808-935-3311, or Detective Blaine Morishita at (808) 961-2385 or email him at Blaine.Morishita@hawaiicounty.gov.

Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300.