Hatchet attack suspect charged
By Suzanne Roig
Advertiser Staff Writer
Police last night charged a Waipahu man in the hatchet slaying of his 79-year-old father and the attempted murder of his 78-year-old mother at their home on Saturday.
Mark Kawakami, 43, was charged with second-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder. Because there was more than one victim, he was also charged with one count of first-degree attempted murder, which carries the state's stiffest sentence, life in prison without parole.
Kawakami was also charged with terroristic threatening. He was being held on $100,000 bail and is scheduled to make an initial court appearance today.
Police identified the victims as Sueo and Janet Kawakami.
They suffered head injuries in the early morning attack at their home on Niuli'i Street in Waipahu, authorities said.
Mr. Kawakami was taken to St. Francis Medical Center-West, where he died. Mrs. Kawakami was taken to The Queen's Medical Center in critical condition.
After the incident, police said, Kawakami drove to the Pearl City police substation and turned himself in.
Reach Suzanne Roig at sroig@honoluluadvertiser.com.
Correction: An earlier version of this story misspelled Sueo Kawakami's name.
