Anesthesiologist accused of trying to toss his wife off 'must-visit' Hawaiian cliff, charged with attempted murder



An anesthesiologist is accused of attempting to kill his wife by trying to throw her off a picturesque cliff in Hawaii, according to reports.

Dr. Gerhardt Konig — a 46-year-old anesthesiologist from Maui — was charged Wednesday with second-degree attempted murder of his wife.

'Arielle expressed that she did not feel comfortable taking a picture with him that close to the edge, so she declined and began to walk back.'

The doctor and 36-year-old wife — Arielle Konig — had been married since 2018 but had been struggling with their relationship for the last few months, KITV-TV reported.

She claimed her husband accused her of cheating on him in December.

The New York Post reported that the pair had been "participating in both couples and individual therapy and counseling" in an attempt to salvage their marriage.

Therapy reportedly helped the couple's relationship, and Gerhardt allegedly planned a weekend getaway to Oahu to celebrate Arielle's 36th birthday.

The couple arrived in Maui on March 23, according to court filings.

The next day, Arielle said her husband suggested that they hike a trail near the Nu’uanu Pali Lookout.

"This breathtaking viewpoint, perched 1,200 feet above sea level, offers sweeping views of the lush Windward Coast, the turquoise waters of Kāne‘ohe Bay, and the picturesque town of Kailua," according to Hawaii.com. "It’s one of the most stunning scenic stops on O‘ahu and a must-visit destination for both first-time visitors and locals alike."

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported, "Ms. Konig, in her court filing, noted the topography of the trail: 'narrow ridge sections with steep drop-offs on both sides.' She said she became uneasy and told her husband she didn’t want to go any farther."

Arielle told police that her husband wanted to take a photo with her at the edge of the cliff. However, she allegedly was uncomfortable with the idea, and she moved away from the cliff.

"She mentioned that while on the trail, Gerhardt was standing close to the edge and asked her to take a selfie with him,” an officer with the Honolulu Police Department said. "Arielle expressed that she did not feel comfortable taking a picture with him that close to the edge, so she declined and began to walk back."

Arielle allegedly said of her husband, "He was yelling something to the effect of, ‘Get back over there, I’m so [expletive] sick of you,’ and continued to push me."

The wife told investigators that at first she thought her husband was joking but then “quickly realized he was seriously trying to make me fall off the cliff.”

Arielle claimed that she threw herself to the ground and away from the edge of the cliff — but then Konig allegedly climbed on top of her.

Arielle — a renowned nuclear engineer — alleged that she told her husband to think about their children, ages 2 and 5.

According to court documents, Arielle said her husband grabbed a bag and pulled out two syringes then tried to inject her.

“I do not know what was in the syringe, but Gerhardt is an anesthesiologist and has access to several potentially lethal medications as part of his employment,” Arielle said.

Police immediately issued an all-points bulletin for Dr. Konig and shut down the trails during a multi-hour manhunt.

Gerhardt also was accused of grabbing a rock and bashing Arielle in the head. He allegedly tried to push her off the trail and then punched her.

The alleged assault is said to have ended only because two women on the trail heard the commotion.

The first woman — identified only as "Amanda" — told police she started walking up the trail around 10:30 a.m. and 10 minutes later allegedly heard a female screaming: "Help! Help me!"

According to the court affidavit, the woman alleged that she saw Arielle on her back "with a man on top of her hitting her on the head."

The hikers recalled Arielle shouting, "He is trying to kill me! He is hitting me in the head with a rock!"

Amanda claimed that Arielle's attacker stopped assaulting her once he realized he was being watched.

The hikers reportedly yelled that they were calling 911, and the assailant fled the crime scene.

According to the court filing, Arielle also claimed to have learned that her husband had called one of his adult children from a previous marriage on FaceTime.

Arielle alleged in the court filing that Konig told his child, "I just tried to kill Ari, but she got away."

The wife said her husband was covered in blood, and Arielle allegedly needed assistance from the hikers to go down the trail.

She was transported to the Queen’s Medical Center in critical condition with multiple facial and head injuries.

Police immediately issued an all-points bulletin for Dr. Konig and shut down the trails during a multi-hour manhunt.

Gerhardt was found and arrested around 6 p.m., police said.

Konig is being detained at the Oahu Community Correctional Center.

His bail initially was set at $5 million. However, Arielle wrote to the judge that she is afraid for herself, her children, and the rest of her family if her husband is released, and the judge on Friday ordered him to be held without bail.

Arielle on Thursday filed a restraining order against her husband. She told the court that Gerhardt had become prone to “extreme jealousy” and “has attempted to control and monitor all of my communications.”

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Appeals court blocks DOGE records-grab ordered by lower court



A federal appeals court on Wednesday blocked a lower court's order seeking records from the Trump administration's Department of Government Efficiency regarding its plans to significantly reduce the size of the federal government.

Earlier this month, United States District Judge Tanya Chutkan directed the DOGE to turn over the documents in response to a lawsuit filed by 14 Democratic-led states, headed by New Mexico. Additional plaintiffs included Arizona, California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington.

'That should be the end of this ill-conceived challenge.'

The states' lawsuit claimed that the DOGE and Elon Musk violated the U.S. Constitution's Appointments Clause and separation of powers, arguing that Musk was not confirmed by the Senate. The states aimed to block the DOGE from accessing several government systems and terminating federal employees.

The complaint requested records from the department as part of the discovery process.

"Defendants argue that the 'inner workings of government' are immaterial to an Appointments Clause claim," Chutkan wrote in her decision. "The court is not convinced, but that is a legal issue appropriate for resolution after fulsome briefing. At this stage, it is sufficient that Plaintiffs' discovery requests intend to reveal the scope of DOGE's and Musk's authority."

She noted that the plaintiffs' requested materials "seek to identify DOGE personnel and the parameters of DOGE's and Musk's authority—a question central to Plaintiffs' claims."

Chutkan ordered the DOGE to produce recordings concerning "agencies, employees, legal agreements, or data management systems" pertaining to the states. The judge gave Musk and the DOGE until April 2 to comply.

On Wednesday, a three-judge panel on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit temporarily blocked Chutkan's order, suggesting she first rule on the Trump administration's motion to dismiss before moving to discovery.

Chutkan canceled a Thursday status hearing following the appeals court's ruling.

The administration's motion to dismiss argued, "By the Complaint's own terms, the States agree that Elon Musk 'does not occupy an office of the United States'; they allege only that he wields 'de facto power.'"

"That should be the end of this ill-conceived challenge," it read. "The States' contrary view rests on conflating influence and authority."

The White House has insisted that Musk is not the head of the DOGE but a senior adviser to President Donald Trump.

Despite facing an onslaught of litigation, the DOGE has not slowed its cost-cutting efforts. On Wednesday, the DOGE applauded the Department of Labor for terminating $557 million in "America Last" grants, totaling $237 million in savings.

According to the department, the wasteful awards included $10 million for "gender equity in the Mexican workplace," over $12 million for "worker empowerment in South America," $5 million for "elevating women's participation in the workplace" in West Africa, more than $4 million for "assisting foreign migrant workers" in Malaysia, $3 million for "enhanc[ing] social security access and worker protections for internal migrant workers" in Bangladesh, another $3 million for "safe and inclusive work environments" in Lesotho, and $6.25 million for "improving respect for Worker's rights in agricultural supply chains" in Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador.

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20 Democrat AGs sue Trump's Education Department over 'massive' staff cuts



A coalition of attorneys general from 20 states and Washington, D.C., filed a lawsuit on Thursday against the Trump administration over its move to lay off nearly 50% of the Department of Education's workforce.

Earlier this week, the Education Department terminated over 1,300 employees. Education Secretary Linda McMahon called the action the "first step" in President Donald Trump's "mandate" to shut down the department.

'Elected with a mandate from the American public to return education authority to the states.'

"What we did today was to take the first step of eliminating what I think is bureaucratic bloat," McMahon stated.

In February, the Education Department fired 63 probationary workers. Another 600 staffers voluntarily quit as part of the Trump administration buyout offer.

Earlier this week, a DOE spokesperson stated that the layoffs were meant to cut the department's workforce "roughly in half," adding that 131 teams would be eliminated.

"We are focusing on eliminating full teams whose operations are either redundant or not necessary for the functioning of the department," the spokesperson said.

"We're going to have these folks roll over their responsibilities by Friday, March 21. They will then go on paid administrative leave until the reduction in force is complete," the DOE official continued. "They will be teleworking from tomorrow until March 21. Then all of that is being done for safety reasons to protect the 2,183 employees that are going to remain after the [reduction in force] is complete."

The states suing the administration, the department, and McMahon included New York, Massachusetts, Hawaii, California, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin.

The Democratic attorneys general wrote in their lawsuit that the layoffs were "an effective dismantling of the Department." They argued that the Trump administration lacks the authority to eradicate the Education Department.

Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell stated, "Neither President Trump nor his secretary have the power to demolish a congressionally created department."

New York Attorney General Letitia James said, "This outrageous effort to leave students behind and deprive them of a quality education is reckless and illegal."

The complaint contended that the department is "essential."

"The dismantling of the Department will also result in the termination of afterschool programs," the lawsuit read. "Regardless of what alternative resources are put in the place of the Department of Education, the process of the Department's dismantling will create and has created chaos, disruption, uncertainty, delays and confusion for Plaintiff States and their residents."

Madi Biedermann, an Education Department spokesperson, declared that Trump was "elected with a mandate from the American public to return education authority to the states."

She noted that the layoffs were "strategic, internal-facing" and "will not directly impact students and families."

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Hawaii Democrats Talk a Big Game on the 'Climate Crisis.' They're Also Shielding an Oil Company Whose Execs Backed Their Campaigns

Hawaii Democrats have for years been at the forefront of the climate change movement, pushing policies designed to slash carbon emissions and stave off cataclysmic global warming. Those same officials, however, are protecting a giant oil and gas company that is likely responsible for more emissions in the state than any other company—but whose executives have donated thousands to Democrats in the state.

The post Hawaii Democrats Talk a Big Game on the 'Climate Crisis.' They're Also Shielding an Oil Company Whose Execs Backed Their Campaigns appeared first on .

'Extraordinarily grotesque' Hawaii fireworks explosion causes New Year's Day 'war zone' carnage; 3 dead, over 20 injured



Three people are dead and over 20 injured after a fireworks demonstration in Hawaii turned deadly on New Year's Day. Authorities said the horrific explosion caused carnage they likened to a "war zone."

Just after midnight Wednesday, a fireworks demonstration took place in the Salt Lake neighborhood of Honolulu.

'It really looked like a war zone and like a bomb dropped right in front of that house.'

Honolulu Police Chief Joe Logan explained, "Based on the preliminary review and nearby surveillance footage, evidence from the scene, and witness statements, it appears that shortly after midnight, a person who attended the party lit an aerial cake — which is a container containing multiple aerial fireworks — in the driveway at the carport. The cake fell to the side, and the aerial shot into crates that contained additional fireworks, setting off what is the explosion that you saw on multiple media outlets and social media posts at this time.”

Aerial drone footage captured the moment of the explosion.

The explosion caused damage to the home where the fireworks were being launched as well as to houses across the street.

"It really looked like a war zone and like a bomb dropped right in front of that house," said Honolulu Fire Department Chief Kalani Hao.

Hawaii Gov. Josh Green said the victims who died suffered the "worst possible war zone injuries" — and they were so extreme "that brain material was across the sidewalk from the ferocity of this explosion."

Green added that "we want people to hear that because that is what is really possible with these explosive fireworks. Some of the deceased had injuries that were that tragic, that traumatic. We’re talking about the worst possible war zone injuries that took their lives."

More than a dozen ambulances responded, and first responders shut down a nearby street to stage a triage center.

More than 20 people were transported to area hospitals for injuries; some were listed in critical condition. Citing the city's emergency medical services, Hawaii News Now reported that three children were injured in what officials are calling a "mass casualty incident."

Green added, "It's not just losing a finger, it's extraordinarily grotesque events, and in the next couple of days, it's entirely likely that some of the people that didn't even look that bad will die because their lungs were burned out — and that's what you happen to see when explosions happen right in front of you."

According to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, Green said two of the severely injured victims were children ages 1 and 3 and that they would be permanently disfigured or die from their injuries.

Dr. Jim Ireland — director of the city's emergency medical services — said, “We did not actually transport a lot of patients with minor injuries, but I remember a 12-year-old girl with burns on her leg and some shrapnel."

Ireland said of the injuries, "Just very, very sad — nothing I have ever seen in EMS. Some of the folks who were here who have been to war, who have been in combat, said it reminded them of things they have seen in combat.“

Police said two women were pronounced dead at the scene, and a third woman later died from her injuries at a hospital. The identities of the victims have not been released.

Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi said, "Enough is enough."

'Here's an individual that's not a professional to the best of my knowledge, unprofessional at fireworks, and here we have a tragic loss.'

"A massive explosion caused by what appears to be illegal fireworks claimed at least three lives and left over 20 others critically injured," Blangiardi said in a statement. "This incident is a painful reminder of the danger posed by illegal fireworks, which put lives at risk, drain our first responder resources, and disrupt our communities."

Blangiardi vowed to work with federal and state agencies to "shut down this illegal firework trade once and for all."

"We will push for stronger enforcement, tougher penalties, new technologies, and a united effort to stop the import of illegal fireworks," Blangiardi stated. "Our communities deserve better. We cannot allow this senseless danger to persist, and we will take decisive action to ensure the safety and well-being of Oahu residents."

Gov. Green added, "Because combatting illegal fireworks has been a priority, we established the Illegal Fireworks Task Force in 2023 to identify and disrupt supply chains. It has seized 227,000 pounds of illegal fireworks to date, but incidents like this remind us of the ongoing challenges we face."

The Hawaii governor urged residents to report illegal fireworks activity to authorities.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is assisting the Honolulu Police Department with the investigation.

Honolulu Police Chief Logan said authorities have yet to determine whether anyone involved in the incident will be hit with criminal charges.

"Here's an individual that's not a professional to the best of my knowledge, unprofessional at fireworks, and here we have a tragic loss," Logan stated.

Logan noted that HPD’s Specialized Services Division Bomb Unit recovered additional fireworks on the property that did not explode.

Hawaii state law declares that anyone "purchasing, possessing, storing, setting off, igniting, or discharging aerial devices, display fireworks or articles pyrotechnic without a valid pyrotechnic permit may face Class C felony charges, resulting in a five-year term of imprisonment if convicted."

The Hawaii Police Department warned the public on Dec. 30: "Please remember that anyone igniting aerial pyrotechnic displays risks not only their life but also the lives of loved ones nearby and potentially neighbors as well."

You can view a video report here about the fireworks explosion.

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In Parting Blow to Energy Industry, Biden-Harris Admin Backs Lawsuits that Aim to Hold Oil and Gas Producers Liable for Global Warming

The Department of Justice quietly weighed in on litigation pending before the Supreme Court this week, siding with liberal cities and states that are seeking to force the nation's largest oil companies to pay billions of dollars in damages for global warming.

The post In Parting Blow to Energy Industry, Biden-Harris Admin Backs Lawsuits that Aim to Hold Oil and Gas Producers Liable for Global Warming appeared first on .

Records Fail To Verify That Second Alleged Would-Be Assassin Ever Voted For Trump

Although Routh claimed that he voted for Trump in 2016, there is no record of him voting that year in his then-home state.

Influential high school administrator in Hawaii shrugs as boy competes in girls' track and field state championships



At least one male student was permitted to compete in the high school girls' track and field state championships in Hawaii last weekend, but a high-ranking official who helps determine state policies regarding high school athletics does not believe the male participant created an unfair competition.

Dean Cevallos is the principal of Kea'au High School, near Hilo on the Island of Hawaii. He is also the president of the Big Island Interscholastic Federation and the vice president of the Hawaii High School Athletic Association, which means he has power over the way high school athletics in his state are governed.

According to an X thread from the Independent Council on Women’s Sports, 'several' of the girls' relay teams at Kea'au High School — the same high school that Cevallos oversees — had two males on them, and at least one of those relay teams participated in the state championship

Cevallos told Island News that he knew a trans-identifying athlete — presumed to be a boy presenting as a girl — would be participating in the state's track and field competition but said that trans-identifying athletes competing as their gender identity does not violate Title IX or the spirit of fair play.

"I'm not troubled," Cevallos said. "I've read Title IX. I know what its contents are. I don't have an issue with it. I'm not going to interpret what it is that we as a Department of Education are asked to follow. I try to make it fair for all my students, whatever we do, and I make sure we follow our policies."

The Hawaii State Department of Education, Civil Rights Compliance Branch — which adopted "respect diversity" as its official mission — considers "gender identity and gender expression" to be subdivisions of the protected "sex" category.

Cevallos claimed he had not received any complaints about trans-identifying athletes participating in cross-sex competition and did not know how many such athletes would participate in the 2024 state track and field championships.

According to an X thread from the Independent Council on Women’s Sports, "several" of the girls' relay teams at Kea'au High School — the same high school that Cevallos oversees — had two males on them, and at least one of those relay teams participated in the state championship. Kea'au High School even went so far as to give one of those two trans-identifying boys its female Outstanding Athlete award, ICONS claimed.

ICONS further reported that the mother of one of the two Kea'au High School trans athletes insisted she actually has two sons on the Kea'au track team who identify as girls, though one of them apparently competes against other boys. "Two of these BEAUTIFUL transgender GIRLS are MY DAUGHTERS," an account named _sheylyn_ wrote on social media in response to Island News' report, according to a screenshot from ICONS.

"These are KIDS we are talking bout," sheylen added.

"Because of this [report] my daughter does not feel safe!!"

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FACT CHECK: Post Claims To Show Giant Bones Of Hawaii

A video shared on Threads claims to show giant bones in Hawaii. Verdict: False The video shows props from the 2017 film “Kong: Skull Island.” Fact Check: Social media users are sharing a video of bones, claiming to show giant bones in Hawaii. One user wrote, “Giant bones in Hawaii!” This claim is false. The video features […]