Doctor is stabbed
to death

Kauai police have arrested a 40-year-old Waimea man suspected of stabbing a retired doctor to death and attempting to murder another man.

Police said Dr. Jon Kerns, 64, was found with stab wounds Sunday night at his Waimea Valley home. He was taken to Kauai Veterans Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Another Waimea Valley man who also received stab wounds was taken to the same hospital, where he was treated and released.

Officers were sent to the house at about 10:10 p.m. after receiving a report of a disturbance. Police found the two victims, but the suspect had fled before their arrival.

Police released few details yesterday concerning the stabbings, but a spokeswoman for the Kauai Police Department said the second victim may have lived at Kerns' house.

Police said witnesses identified the suspect, and investigators searched for him Sunday night and yesterday morning. Police arrested the suspect at 9 a.m. yesterday.

Police are seeking second-degree murder and attempted-murder charges against the suspect.

Kerns was an active member of the Eleele Baptist Church.

"He was a nice man, good man," said Clem Reponte, a groundskeeper at the church. "I was surprised that he had this trouble."

Kerns' wife declined to comment. A friend of the family who did not want to be identified said Kerns "was a great man, one of the best, and very well liked."