Man charged after reportedly stabbing 2 people in Hilo

A 42-year-old man is facing assault charges after reportedly stabbing a man and woman in Hilo.

On Tuesday at approximately 11:33 p.m., Hawai‘i Island police responded to a call about a weapons incident behind a business on the 300 block of East Maka‘ala Street. When officers arrived on scene, they found a 44-year-old woman with a laceration to her arm and 52-year-old man with a puncture wound to his stomach.

Through the course of the investigation, police determined that a man, later identified as 42-year-old Kunia Hassard, of no permanent address, armed with an edged weapon approached the woman and attacked her, cutting her arm. The suspect then cut the man, who was attempting to stop the attack on the female victim.

After cutting the male victim, the suspect stole a bicycle belonging to a witness and fled the scene.

Both victims were transported to the Hilo Medical Center where they were treated for their injuries and are in stable condition. The victims and the suspect are acquaintances and the reason for the attack is currently under investigation.

Continuing their investigation, detectives with Hawai‘i Police Department’s Area I Criminal Investigation Division located Hassard in Hilo on Thursday at 10 a.m., and arrested him without incident. Detectives also recovered the stolen bicycle.

After conferring with the County Prosecutor’s Office on Friday, detectives charged Hassard with the following offenses: two counts of first-degree assault and third-degree theft.

Hassard’s total bail was set at $52,000. He is currently being held at the Hawai’i Police Department East Hawai’i Detention Center pending his initial court appearance scheduled for June 26.

Police ask that anyone with information regarding this crime to please contact Detective Paul Mangus at paul.mangus@hawaiicounty.gov. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 808-961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.