Kona Man Charged in Connection With Early Morning Stabbing

A Kona man is facing a second-degree assault charge in connection to an early morning stabbing.

The charge stems from an incident that occurred in Kona shortly after 1 a.m. Hawai‘i police responded to a report of a man who was stabbed on the roadway of a residential subdivision in the 74-5000 block of Hokulii Place.

The suspect, later identified as 33–year-old Philip Liftee, reportedly got into a heated verbal argument with a 27-year-old Kailua-Kona man and then pulled out a knife and stabbed him. The victim was transported to the Kona Community Hospital for his injuries and is listed in stable condition.

Liftee was taken into custody and officially charged with second-degree assault. His bail was set at $5,000. He remains in custody at the Kona Police Station pending his initial court appearance in Kona District Court on Monday, May 23.

Police ask anyone with information about this case to contact Detective Tyler Prokopec, via email at tyler.prokopec@hawaiicounty.gov, or at 808-326-4646 ext. 224. Members of the community can also contact the police department’s non-emergency number at 808-935-3311. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call the islandwide Crime Stoppers number at 808-961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.