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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Thursday, March 5, 2009

Son tells of events in Kauai stabbing

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Joseph Hoapili

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LIHU'E, Kaua'i — John Hoapili was awakened early Tuesday morning when he heard his mother calling his name for help.

When he forced open his parents' bedroom door, Hoapili saw his father Joseph sitting on his mother Fredlynn, who had a knife in her chest.

His father pulled the knife out and stabbed his mother three or four more times, the younger Hoapili told Kaua'i police officers who responded to his 911 call.

When police arrived, John Hoapili, 33, was in the yard of the apartment he shared with his parents in downtown Lihu'e. When his father came to the doorway, the younger Hoapili called out, "That's him, that's my father, that's the f----- who stabbed my mother!"

John Hoapili's account is part of a 14-page affidavit released yesterday by Kaua'i Prosecuting Attorney Shaylene Iseri-Carvalho. Joseph Hoapili, 50, remained in jail on a second-degree murder charge, with bail set at $500,000.

Hoapili is scheduled to be arraigned in District Court at 1 p.m. today.

While Hoapili was handcuffed and kneeling on the ground, he was shaking and said through clenched teeth, "I told her I couldn't take this anymore," the affidavit said. An officer had difficulty handcuffing him because his hands were slippery with blood, the affidavit said.

John Hoapili told police that when his father smokes "ice," as he had that day, he accuses his mother of fooling around.

No results were available yesterday from an autopsy performed on Fredlynn Hoapili, 53, or from blood samples taken from Joseph Hoapili to test for drugs and alcohol, Kaua'i County spokeswoman Mary Daubert said.

When police searched the Hoapilis' apartment Tuesday, they found a knife they believe to be the murder weapon.

A family friend said the couple had six children and that several of them are working on funeral arrangements for Fredlynn Hoapili.

Co-workers of Fredlynn Hoapili said the couple's two grandchildren lived with them, but were not home the night of the stabbing.

Kaua'i police records show that between 1995 and 2007, police responded to five complaints of family abuse or assault involving Joseph Hoapili. In all five cases charges were dismissed, but records show a pattern of alleged abuse by Joseph Hoapili:

• March 26, 1995: Fredlynn Hoapili reported being physically abused by Joseph Hoapili at their home in Hanama'ulu. She was treated at Wilcox Hospital's emergency room for injuries to her left side hip and lower back. Joseph Hoapili was arrested for family abuse. The case was dismissed on Oct. 10, 1996, in Family Court.

• Aug. 21, 1995: Joseph Hoapili was accused of striking his then-12-year-old son on his head with a partially full milk carton, and threatening to kill him if he told anyone. Joseph also terrorized his daughter and niece, yelling and gesturing that he might hit them. A police report indicated that Hoapili had been drinking and "snapping out" for smoking crystal meth. He was arrested for family abuse. The case was dismissed without prejudice on Nov. 1, 1995, in Family Court.

• June 2, 2001: Fredlynn Hoapili told police she wanted a temporary restraining order on her husband after they had an argument. Joseph Hoapili was given a 24-hour warning citation, but violated it and was arrested for family abuse. The case was dismissed without prejudice on Jan. 23, 2002, in Family Court. No temporary restraining order was filed.

• July 30, 2004: Fredlynn Hoapili reported that Joseph Hoapili assaulted their son, Joseph Hoapili Jr., for trying to stop them from fighting. The son received stitches on his right eyebrow at Wilcox Hospital. Joseph Sr., who was suspected of being high on "ice," was arrested for second-degree assault. The case was dismissed on Oct. 15, 2004, in District Court.

• Aug. 18, 2007: A neighbor reported the Hoapili family arguing at their Hanama'ulu home. Joseph reportedly wrapped his cell phone charger cord around Fredlynn's neck, tightened the cord and threatened to kill her. Joseph Hoapili also fondled his wife sexually while the cord was around her neck, in front of a grandchild, and admitted to using "ice" earlier that day. A charge of family abuse was dismissed in Circuit Court, but Joseph Hoapili was convicted of promoting a dangerous drug, a class C felony.