Hawaiʻi Police Department
Criminal Investigation Section, Area I
Lieutenant Miles Chong
Phone: (808) 961-2252
Report No. C17034458
Michael Varize
Media Release
Hawaiʻi Island police arrested a Hāmākua man in connection with a stabbing incident in Honoka`a.
At 8:24 p.m., Tuesday, (December 12), police responded to the Hale Hoʻola Hāmākua Emergency Room after a Honokaʻa man arrived by private vehicle with apparent stab wounds to his body. The 34-year-old victim told police he and his assailant were sitting in his (victim’s) vehicle on Kamakawiwoʻole Church Road when he was attacked by the suspect following a disagreement. The victim was later transported by ambulance to the North Hawaiʻi Community Hospital where he remains in guarded condition.
At 1:30 a.m., Wednesday morning, (December 13), the suspect, 29-year-old Michael Varize Jr., also of Honokaʻa, was located in Waimea and arrested without incident for second-degree assault. He was taken to the Hilo cellblock while detectives with the Area I Criminal Investigation Section continue the investigation.
Anyone who may have witnessed, or have any information about this incident is asked to call the Police Department’s non-emergency line at (808) 935-3311 or Detective Jesse Kerr of the Area I Criminal Investigation Section at (808) 961-2377 or http://Jesse.Kerr@hawaiicounty.gov.