HONOLULU (KHON2) — A couple of attempted murder investigations are raising concerns among Ala Moana area residents, lawmakers are calling on people to be more vigilant as police continue searching for the suspects.
Honolulu police are investigating back-to-back attempted murders, these are violent cases that have unsettled neighbors like Steve Van Cleave.
Van Cleave said, “When I’m with my wife, I definitely have a swivel and I keep my eyes open around me.”
Police said a 32-year-old man was stabbed with a kitchen knife Saturday night at a bus stop in Keeaumoku. The victim was identified as a Wal-Mart employee who was transported in critical condition.
In a separate case earlier that night, police said a man threatened to kill another man with a knife in the Ala Moana and Ward area.
The suspect is believed to be in his 20s or 30s, between 5’5” and 5’10” tall with brown wavy hair, a beard and brown eyes. The suspect is wanted for terroristic threatening, but police have not yet confirmed if those two cases are connected.
Speaker Scott Saiki, who represents the Kakaako and Ala Moana neighborhoods, said these cases are unsettling.
Saiki said, “I know that there are residents who sometimes feel afraid to be on their own sidewalk so I know this is a growing concern, it’s an important concern for residents.”
HPD opened a second attempted murder investigation the following day from an incident that took place near Ala Moana.
Police said at least five men were injured in a fight that broke out early Sunday morning, officers said neither victims nor eye-witnesses cooperated with the investigation.
HPD said the altercation involved men between 22 and 34 years old, and it happened around 3:30 a.m.
About three years ago, Saiki and his neighbors decided to band together to form a neighborhood watch group out of safety concerns, knowing they live in one of the busiest parts of the island.
“We see a lot of people coming through this area,” said Saiki. “And I have to believe that these major crimes, that these violent crimes are being committed by people who are from outside of this community.”
Police have not yet made any arrests.