March 24, 2026 — A woman testified Tuesday in Honolulu against her husband, an anesthesiologist charged with trying to kill her during a hike on Oahu a year ago.
Arielle Konig told jurors she approached her husband, Gerhardt Konig, on the Pali Puka trail when he grabbed her upper arms forcefully, ordered her back toward the cliff and began pushing her. On the stand she said he tried to stab her with a syringe, and when that failed he struck her head repeatedly with a rock. She described him saying they were done and that they did not need her anymore.
Prosecutors say the attack happened as the couple celebrated her birthday and after she refused to take a selfie near the trail’s edge. Arielle Konig filed for divorce in May 2025.
A nurse who witnessed the incident, Sarah Bucksbom, testified she called 911 and found Arielle ‘fully covered in blood.’
Gerhardt Konig, who has worked with the Anesthesia Medical Group in Hawaii and formerly at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, is charged with second-degree attempted murder. If convicted, he faces up to life in prison.
In opening statements, defense attorney Thomas Otake argued the couple had been fighting about an affair and said Arielle attacked first, picking up a rock and striking Gerhardt. Otake said Gerhardt then hit her twice and stopped. He also pointed to a call Gerhardt made to his 19-year-old son after the incident in which Gerhardt said he planned to kill himself and was saying goodbye.
Deputy prosecuting attorney Joel Garner told the jury the call amounted to a confession, quoting Gerhardt as saying, ‘I tried to kill Arielle, but she got away.’
It remained unclear whether Gerhardt Konig or his son will testify as the trial continues.