Police: Pahoa man, 77, charged with attempted murder after bludgeoning wife

A 77-year-old Pahoa man has been charged with attempted murder after he reportedly bludgeoned her with a shotgun Friday night.

According to a Hawaii Police Department news release, Lowell Thomas Pofahl called the police shortly before 10:30 p.m. Friday night to tell them that he had attempted to kill his 76-year-old wife.

When Puna patrol officers arrived at Pofahl’s Nanawale Estates residence, they found the victim lying in a pool of blood with severe, life-threatening injuries. Pofahl was on the scene and was taken into custody without incident, while officers and Hawaii Fire Department personnel rendered first aid to the victim.

After the woman was taken to the Hilo Benioff Medical Center — and later the Queen’s Medical Center on Oahu — she was found to have sustained a fractured skull, brain bleed, concussion, a partial thumb amputation and numerous puncture wounds and lacerations about the body. She reportedly remains hospitalized, but in stable condition.

Officers recovered a shotgun from the home, as it had reportedly been used to threaten and beat the victim, who had not been shot during the incident.

On Saturday, Nov. 23, Area I Criminal Investigation Division officers executed a search warrant at the residence, recovering other various weapons believed to have been used to beat Pofahl’s wife.

On Sunday morning, detectives charged Pofahl with second-degree attempted murder, first-degree assault, abuse of a family or household member, and carrying or using a firearm in the commission of a separate felony.

Pofahl’s bail has been set at $1,655,000. He remains in police custody pending his initial court appearance this afternoon in Hilo District Court.

Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact Acting Detective Corey Kaneko of the Area I Juvenile Aid Section at (808) 961-8843 or email at Corey.Kaneko@hawaiicounty.gov or the police department’s non-emergency number, at (808) 935-3311.