Topline: Gerhardt Konig testified that he struck his wife with a rock only after she tried to shove him from the Pali Puka trail.
Published: April 4, 2026 6:00 am ET
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Gerhardt Konig testifies in court (via KHNL)
HONOLULU, HI — A Maui doctor charged with trying to kill his wife during a March 2025 birthday hike testified that he hit her in the head with a rock only after she tried to push him from a cliff.
Gerhardt Konig, 47, told a courtroom that his wife, Arielle Konig, initiated the physical confrontation on Pali Puka trail, as reported by Hawaii News Now. The anesthesiologist faces a charge of second-degree attempted murder.
Konig testified the couple began arguing on the Pali Puka Trail about an emotional affair his wife had with a co-worker. He said the dispute turned physical when Arielle Konig tried to shove him off the path on March 24, 2025.
The defendant said a scuffle followed the attempted push. According to NBC News, Konig told the jury his wife grabbed him by the testicles and struck him in the head with a rock.
Konig said he eventually took the rock from her and hit her with it twice. He testified that he acted in self-defense and felt horrible about the injuries his wife sustained.
The doctor’s account contradicts testimony provided by Arielle Konig last week. She told jurors her husband attacked her after asking her to pose for a selfie near the edge of a cliff.
Arielle Konig testified that she felt uneasy and tried to move past her husband. She said he grabbed her and pushed her toward the ledge.
According to her testimony, she threw herself to the ground to avoid falling. She alleged that Gerhardt Konig then approached her with a syringe and began hitting her head with a rock after she knocked the medical device away.
Bystanders on the trail assisted Arielle Konig after she escaped. Prosecutors played a 911 call in which hikers described a man attempting to kill a woman who had blood on her face.
Gerhardt Konig denied having a syringe during the hike. He also denied the prosecution’s claim that he planned the Oahu trip specifically to kill his wife.
The defendant addressed testimony given by his 19-year-old son, Emile Konig. The son told the court that his father admitted to the attempted murder during a FaceTime call after the incident.
Gerhardt Konig acknowledged he spoke to his son while in a daze on the trail and mentioned his intent to take his own life. He said the word “kill” might have been used during the call but denied it was a confession.
The doctor told the jury he was likely repeating his wife’s accusations during the conversation. He said he told his son that Arielle Konig was claiming he tried to kill her.
The couple had been in counseling for three months before the hike. Gerhardt Konig said he was devastated by the discovery of his wife’s affair.
Arielle Konig previously testified that the couple seemed to be repairing their relationship before the birthday trip. Gerhardt Konig testified Wednesday that his wife minimized the affair and refused to answer his questions about it.
If convicted of second-degree attempted murder, Konig faces a sentence of life in prison with the possibility of parole under Hawaii law. The trial is expected to continue this week in Oahu Circuit Court as the jury prepares to deliberate.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Hawaiian Doctor Denies Attempted Murder, Blames Wife for Trail Assault
Gerhardt Konig testified that he struck his wife with a rock only after she tried to shove him from the Pali Puka trail.
By Kate Byrd
Published: April 4, 2026 6:00 am ET
Gerhardt Konig testifies in court (via KHNL)
HONOLULU, HI — A Maui doctor charged with trying to kill his wife during a March 2025 birthday hike testified that he hit her in the head with a rock only after she tried to push him from a cliff.
Gerhardt Konig, 47, told a courtroom that his wife, Arielle Konig, initiated the physical confrontation on Pali Puka trail, as reported by Hawaii News Now. The anesthesiologist faces a charge of second-degree attempted murder.
Konig testified the couple began arguing on the Pali Puka Trail about an emotional affair his wife had with a co-worker. He said the dispute turned physical when Arielle Konig tried to shove him off the path on March 24, 2025.
The defendant said a scuffle followed the attempted push. According to NBC News, Konig told the jury his wife grabbed him by the testicles and struck him in the head with a rock.
Konig said he eventually took the rock from her and hit her with it twice. He testified that he acted in self-defense and felt horrible about the injuries his wife sustained.
The doctor’s account contradicts testimony provided by Arielle Konig last week. She told jurors her husband attacked her after asking her to pose for a selfie near the edge of a cliff.
Arielle Konig testified that she felt uneasy and tried to move past her husband. She said he grabbed her and pushed her toward the ledge.
According to her testimony, she threw herself to the ground to avoid falling. She alleged that Gerhardt Konig then approached her with a syringe and began hitting her head with a rock after she knocked the medical device away.
Bystanders on the trail assisted Arielle Konig after she escaped. Prosecutors played a 911 call in which hikers described a man attempting to kill a woman who had blood on her face.
Gerhardt Konig denied having a syringe during the hike. He also denied the prosecution’s claim that he planned the Oahu trip specifically to kill his wife.
The defendant addressed testimony given by his 19-year-old son, Emile Konig. The son told the court that his father admitted to the attempted murder during a FaceTime call after the incident.
Gerhardt Konig acknowledged he spoke to his son while in a daze on the trail and mentioned his intent to take his own life. He said the word “kill” might have been used during the call but denied it was a confession.
The doctor told the jury he was likely repeating his wife’s accusations during the conversation. He said he told his son that Arielle Konig was claiming he tried to kill her.
The couple had been in counseling for three months before the hike. Gerhardt Konig said he was devastated by the discovery of his wife’s affair.
Arielle Konig previously testified that the couple seemed to be repairing their relationship before the birthday trip. Gerhardt Konig testified Wednesday that his wife minimized the affair and refused to answer his questions about it.
If convicted of second-degree attempted murder, Konig faces a sentence of life in prison with the possibility of parole under Hawaii law. The trial is expected to continue this week in Oahu Circuit Court as the jury prepares to deliberate.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
Must Read
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Hawaiian Doctor Denies Attempted Murder, Blames Wife for Trail Assault
Gerhardt Konig testified that he struck his wife with a rock only after she tried to shove him from the Pali Puka trail.
By Kate Byrd
Published: April 4, 2026 6:00 am ET
Gerhardt Konig testifies in court (via KHNL)
HONOLULU, HI — A Maui doctor charged with trying to kill his wife during a March 2025 birthday hike testified that he hit her in the head with a rock only after she tried to push him from a cliff.
Gerhardt Konig, 47, told a courtroom that his wife, Arielle Konig, initiated the physical confrontation on Pali Puka trail, as reported by Hawaii News Now. The anesthesiologist faces a charge of second-degree attempted murder.
Konig testified the couple began arguing on the Pali Puka Trail about an emotional affair his wife had with a co-worker. He said the dispute turned physical when Arielle Konig tried to shove him off the path on March 24, 2025.
The defendant said a scuffle followed the attempted push. According to NBC News, Konig told the jury his wife grabbed him by the testicles and struck him in the head with a rock.
Konig said he eventually took the rock from her and hit her with it twice. He testified that he acted in self-defense and felt horrible about the injuries his wife sustained.
The doctor’s account contradicts testimony provided by Arielle Konig last week. She told jurors her husband attacked her after asking her to pose for a selfie near the edge of a cliff.
Arielle Konig testified that she felt uneasy and tried to move past her husband. She said he grabbed her and pushed her toward the ledge.
According to her testimony, she threw herself to the ground to avoid falling. She alleged that Gerhardt Konig then approached her with a syringe and began hitting her head with a rock after she knocked the medical device away.
Bystanders on the trail assisted Arielle Konig after she escaped. Prosecutors played a 911 call in which hikers described a man attempting to kill a woman who had blood on her face.
Gerhardt Konig denied having a syringe during the hike. He also denied the prosecution’s claim that he planned the Oahu trip specifically to kill his wife.
The defendant addressed testimony given by his 19-year-old son, Emile Konig. The son told the court that his father admitted to the attempted murder during a FaceTime call after the incident.
Gerhardt Konig acknowledged he spoke to his son while in a daze on the trail and mentioned his intent to take his own life. He said the word “kill” might have been used during the call but denied it was a confession.
The doctor told the jury he was likely repeating his wife’s accusations during the conversation. He said he told his son that Arielle Konig was claiming he tried to kill her.
The couple had been in counseling for three months before the hike. Gerhardt Konig said he was devastated by the discovery of his wife’s affair.
Arielle Konig previously testified that the couple seemed to be repairing their relationship before the birthday trip. Gerhardt Konig testified Wednesday that his wife minimized the affair and refused to answer his questions about it.
If convicted of second-degree attempted murder, Konig faces a sentence of life in prison with the possibility of parole under Hawaii law. The trial is expected to continue this week in Oahu Circuit Court as the jury prepares to deliberate.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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