Man held in knife attack

By Peter Boylan
Advertiser Staff Writer

A 33-year-old Nanakuli man surrendered to police yesterday after he walked into a church where his wife works, slashed her throat with a knife, and then cut the pastor, according to police records.

John Nihipali went to his wife's workplace at Paradise Chapel in Ma'ili just before 8:05 a.m. yesterday and got into an argument with her, police said. Nihipali pulled out a kitchen knife and cut his wife, Sharie Nihipali, on the throat, leaving an 8-inch laceration, police said.

The Rev. George Nagato, pastor of the 200-member congregation, said he was upstairs in the church office when he heard Sharie Nihipali screaming. He said he saw John Nihipali and yelled to get his attention.

Police said Nagato suffered cuts on his hands. Nagato said Nihipali cut him.

Nagato ran to the house of a nearby parishioner and called police.

Sharie Nihipali, a receptionist at the chapel, stumbled out into the street, where she flagged down a car and was taken to Wai'anae Coast Comprehensive Health Center, Nagato said. She was treated and released, the hospital said.

John Nihipali drove to his grandmother's house in Nanakuli before turning himself in, police said. He was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, second-degree assault and violating a temporary restraining order that his wife had against him, police said.

Reach Peter Boylan at 535-8110 or pboylan@honoluluadvertiser.com