HONOLULU, Hawaii — A tragic sequence of events unfolded March 5 in Honolulu, where a man on a work furlough is now facing severe criminal charges following two violent incidents that left one woman dead and another hospitalized. John Nihipali Sr., 55, is accused of fatally stabbing his girlfriend before attacking his estranged wife later that same day.
The case raises significant concerns regarding the management of offenders in correctional programs, particularly how Nihipali was able to travel between McCully and Kapolei while on a furlough pass. He was arrested outside his estranged wife’s home, where he allegedly stabbed her in the neck. Officers confronted him as he remained armed and ultimately subdued him using a conducted electrical weapon.
Police began piecing together the timeline of events shortly after the incidents. Investigators confirmed that Nihipali entered the Fern Street apartment in McCully with his girlfriend around 10:30 a.m. However, by 2:45 p.m., he was seen leaving alone. Authorities believe the 53-year-old victim had already succumbed to multiple stab wounds at that time. The first emergency response to the scene occurred later, around 4:15 p.m., prompted by a call from his estranged wife’s residence on Kealiʻiahonui Street in Kapolei.
Thanks to quick thinking by a 30-year-old male resident, identified as the victim’s son, the estranged wife managed to escape the attack. She sought help from a neighbor, leading to a prompt call to emergency services. She was subsequently transported to The Queen’s Medical Center and was reported to be in stable condition by the following day.
Meanwhile, police discovered the deceased woman in the McCully apartment shortly after responding to the Kapolei incident. Initially classified as an unattended death, the case quickly shifted to a homicide investigation after detectives noted the multiple stab wounds, including defensive injuries indicative of a struggle.
Further investigation revealed that Nihipali had driven the victim’s vehicle from McCully to Kapolei, prompting questions about how he was allowed to leave his correctional center. Officials confirmed that he was on a resocialization furlough pass, tasked with returning by 6 p.m. that evening. However, the investigations showed that, by that time, he was already a suspect in two violent attacks.
Nihipali’s criminal history includes serving time for second-degree assault and an earlier conviction for attempted manslaughter stemming from a 2004 incident in which he slashed his wife’s throat. His background has led law enforcement to investigate potential motives, but authorities have not publicly disclosed any specific reasons for the recent violence.
By the end of the weekend, Nihipali faced multiple charges, including first-degree attempted murder, second-degree murder, and burglary, in addition to escaping lawful custody. He remains incarcerated without bail as detectives continue their inquiries.
As the investigation unfolds, police are gathering more evidence and reviewing additional surveillance footage. The situation has raised questions about the effectiveness of programs aimed at rehabilitating offenders and ensuring community safety.
The next update is anticipated to include further details and potential upcoming court proceedings, as law enforcement seeks justice for the victims involved in this harrowing case.