A 19-year-old Kalihi man accused of stabbing two strangers Sunday on Koko Head Crater trail could spend the rest of his life in prison if he's convicted of the crimes.

Benjamin Davis of a Waiakamilo Road address was charged yesterday with one count of first-degree attempted murder and two counts of second-degree attempted murder.

Davis was charged with the more serious crime of first-degree attempted murder because he is accused of trying to kill more than one person, the city prosecutor's office said.

If convicted of first-degree attempted murder, Davis would face a mandatory term of life in prison without the possibility of parole, which is the state's harshest penalty. A conviction for second-degree attempted murder carries a sentence of life in prison with the possibility of parole.

Davis remained in police custody last night, unable to post the $100,000 bail. He is scheduled to make his initial appearance in District Court today.

The McKinley High School graduate is charged with stabbing Guy Tanaka, 55, of Riverside, Calif., and a man in his 20s in what police describe as a random act.

Tanaka was stabbed as he sat on a metal platform at the trail's summit and talked to his wife in California on a cell phone. He was treated for his wounds and released on Monday.

After Tanaka was stabbed, the attacker, identified by police as Davis, fled and stabbed another man at the summit.

The victim fell part way down the slope into the crater and had to be rescued by fire department personnel. The second victim remained in critical condition yesterday.

Police searched the area for several hours before capturing Davis, who was found naked in a tree Sunday evening.