Honolulu police are investigating a report of a critical stabbing in Kalihi early today in the area of North King Street and Waiakamilo Road.

A CID spokesman said detectives had been sent out to to the area shortly after 5 a.m. to investigate a possible stabbing.

The stabbing occurred around 4 a.m., but the male victim, who said he was attacked in a confrontation with seven men, didn't call for an ambulance until 4:45 a.m.

He was located at 1564 N. King St. and taken to an area trauma center to be treated for multiple stab wounds, Emergency Services spokesman Bryan Cheplic said. He was in critical condition, Cheplic said.

Witnesses at the scene said they saw the man laying face down near a pool of blood and that the nearby wall was stained with blood. The victim apparently then got up, leaving a trail of blood trail from where the stabbing occurred to where paramedics and firefighters found him.