Hawaii Doctor Gerhardt Konig Convicted of Attempted Manslaughter After Oahu Trail Attack

Dr. Gerhardt Konig was found guilty of attempted manslaughter on Wednesday following an attack against his wife during a birthday hike on the Pali Puka Trail near Honolulu, Hawaii, last March. The verdict was reached after a Honolulu County jury deliberated for more than eight hours, convicting Konig on a lesser charge rather than second-degree attempted murder.

The trial, which lasted roughly three weeks, centered on conflicting testimonies from Gerhardt Konig, an anesthesiologist, and his wife Arielle Konig. The incident occurred on March 24, 2025, when the couple was hiking to mark Arielle Konig’s birthday. According to Arielle Konig's testimony, her husband confronted her about an emotional affair she had with a co-worker during the outing, then attempted to push her off a cliff, tried to stab her with a syringe, and struck her head with a rock. The attack ended abruptly when two hikers encountered the scene and called 911.

Prosecutors argued that Gerhardt Konig was driven by his obsession with the affair, detailing how he tried multiple times to seriously harm his wife. Emergency responders testified that Arielle Konig suffered a skull laceration deep enough to reach the bone, with pieces of rock embedded in the wound. Body camera footage played in court showed her receiving aid from passersby, her face badly bloodied.

Gerhardt Konig denied the allegations, stating he acted in self-defense following a heated argument and physical struggle initiated by his wife. He testified that Arielle Konig attempted to push him from the trail, struck him with a rock, and inflicted additional injuries. Images of his wounds were entered into evidence, and a defense pathologist characterized Arielle Konig's injuries as non-life-threatening.

After the attack, Konig contacted his son, reportedly saying he had tried to kill his wife, a statement later disputed by Konig during his testimony. He was arrested nearly eight hours later after police launched a manhunt and says he ultimately chose to turn himself in.

Konig now faces up to 20 years in prison, with sentencing scheduled for August 13. His attorney, Thomas Otake, expressed gratitude that the jury did not return the more serious attempted murder conviction and said the defense intends to appeal. The case has highlighted the challenges in prosecuting domestic violence incidents involving conflicting accounts from spouses. Investigations into the matter have concluded with the jury’s verdict, and no further suspects are sought.