A Honokaa man is in police custody in connection with a stabbing incident in Honokaa.
At 8:24 p.m. Tuesday, officers 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 man told police he and his assailant were sitting in the alleged victim’s vehicle on Kamakawiwoʻole Church Road when he was attacked by the suspect following a disagreement.
The victim was later taken by ambulance to the North Hawaii Community Hospital in Waimea where he remains in guarded condition.
At 1:30 a.m, Wednesday, police arrested the suspect, 29-year-old Michael Varize Jr. in Waimea on suspicion of second-degree assault. He remains in custody while detectives investigate.
Potential witnesses, or anyone with information about the incident are asked to call the police non-emergency line at 935-3311 or contact Detective Jesse Kerr at 961-2377 or Jesse.Kerr@hawaiicounty.gov.