Couple charged after security guard, man stabbed in fight outside Kona bar

A Kona couple was arrested and charged in a double stabbing last weekend outside a Kailua-Kona bar after one of them was denied entry, leading to a fight outside the establishment that involved several people, one of whom was seriously wounded.

Hawai‘i Police Department reports that 40-year-old Joshua Van Why is charged with:

• First-degree assault.
• Second-degree assault.

His bail was set at $15,000.

Van Why’s girlfriend 29-year-old Rachel Hogan is charged with:

• First-degree assault.
• Two counts of second-degree assault.
• First-degree terroristic threatening.

Her bail was set at $25,150.

Van Why and Hogan made their initial court appearances Tuesday.

Kona patrol officers responded Nov. 9 just before midnight to a report of a fight outside the bar in the 75-100 block of Sarona Road in Kailua-Kona.

A 41-year-old male victim who was working as a security guard at the bar that night told officers he denied entry to Van Why because the establishment was at maximum capacity. Van Why got angry and the two began arguing, which eventually escalated to a physical fight.

During the altercation, the men wrestled to the ground and Van Why was seen removing what appeared to be a switchblade from his pocket, stabbing the security guard.

Several bystanders assisted with getting the knife away from Van Why and he left on foot, heading toward Ali‘i Drive. The knife was recovered by police as evidence.

Police determined during their investigation that Hogan was also involved in the fight, wielding what appeared to be a knife and making threats toward the security guard. She was also seen leaving, heading toward Ali‘i Drive on foot.

Officers obtained evidence that corroborated the victim’s statement, as well as positively identifying Van Why as the suspect.

Officers were then informed at midnight Sunday by Kona Community Hospital staff that a possible second victim, a 55-year-old man, arrived at the emergency room by private vehicle.

Police learned upon speaking with the second victim that he was trying to intervene in the fight between Van Why and the security guard when he was confronted by Hogan. He and Hogan got into a fight, during which he was stabbed and seriously wounded.

The security guard was treated and released. The 55-year-old man remains hospitalized.

Further investigation revealed that Van Why and Hogan returned to their residence in the 75-5700 block of Ali‘i Drive. Officers went to the location and saw clothing with blood stains on the floor fronting the residence, matching the description of what Van Why and Hogan were last seen wearing.

Those items were subsequently recovered as evidence.

Police arrested Van Why and Hogan shortly after 10:30 a.m. Sunday as they exited their residence.

Detectives from the Hawai‘i Police Department Area II Criminal Investigation Section obtained and executed a search warrant on the couple’s residence, recovering a total of 26 knives as evidence.

Police also determined that Van Why and Hogan were possibly involved in a separate stabbing March 25 at a Kailua-Kona beach park that involved a 46-year-old man. The victim of the March beach park stabbing positively identified Hogan on Monday as his assailant.

Hogan also had an outstanding arrest warrant.

Anyone with information related to the double stabbing investigation is encouraged to call Hawai‘i Police Department’s non-emergency line at 808-935-3311. They can also contact Detective Len Hamakado at 808-326-4646, ext. 224, or via email at Len.Hamakado@hawaiicounty.gov.

Those who want to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 808-961-8300.