LIHU‘E — The Koloa man charged with attempted murder in an ‘Ele‘ele double stabbing entered a not guilty plea in Fifth Circuit Court in Lihu‘e Tuesday.
Kristofer Bush, 33, pled not guilty to nine counts related to an April 10 incident in which victims claim he viciously attacked his girlfriend Blossom Kanahele, 26, and her family.
This includes one charge of attempted murder, two charges of felony assault, three counts of abuse of a family or household member, criminal property damage in the fourth degree, resisting an order to stop a motor vehicle, and prohibitions against obnoxious substances.
According to victims’ descriptions of the event, Bush drove recklessly close to Kanahele and her family as they were sitting outside of an ‘Ele‘ele home, igniting an argument.
At some point during the altercation, Bush hit the family with a cloud of pepper spray and smashed the windows out of Kanahele’s car, victims said.
During the incident, Blossom Kanahele’s brother, Connor Kanahele, 21, was stabbed in the arm. Blossom Kanahele, after being chased down by Bush and grabbed, was stabbed in the chest.
Both were transported to Wilcox Medical Center for treatment, and Blossom Kanahele was placed in critical care for several days.
Bush was apprehended the day after the stabbing, and a search of his vehicle revealed three knives and two cans of pepper spray.
Judge Randal Valenciano informed Bush — who appeared in court from the Kaua‘i Community Correctional Center — of his
firearms restrictions (Bush is required to turn in any firearms or ammunition to the Kaua‘i Police Department).
Bush is being held on $500,000 bail. A bail study was conducted in District Court but made no recommendation.
A pretrial conference has been set for Aug. 11, and the trial date has been set for Sept. 6 at 8 a.m.
Bush was the second man charged in a stabbing to appear in court this week. Ha‘ena man Gregory Fejeran, 59, accused of stabbing an O‘ahu man in January, appeared before Valenciano Monday. His court date was continued and his jury trial is scheduled for Aug. 29.
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Guthrie Scrimgeour, reporter, can be reached at 647-0329 or gscrimgeour@thegardenisland.com.
