Hatchet mayhem leaves dad dead

A Waipahu couple's son is arrested in the attack that also leaves his mom seriously hurt

A WAIPAHU MAN is in police custody for allegedly killing his 79-year-old father and seriously injuring his 76-year-old mother with a hatchet early yesterday while his brother was asleep in another room.

The 43-year-old man fled from the house, at 94-544 Niulii St., after the 2:30 a.m. slaying, police said. But less than an hour later, Mark Kawakami turned himself in at the Pearl City police substation.

The suspect's father, Sueo Kawakami, was pronounced dead at St. Francis Medical Center-West, police said. His mother was taken in serious condition to Kapiolani Medical Center at Pali Momi, an Emergency Medical Services supervisor said.

Pearl City police Sgt. Jensen Okagawa said Kawakami was arguing with his parents when he allegedly started hacking at them with a hatchet.

His 47-year-old brother was sleeping when the argument was going on and woke up to find his parents being attacked, police said. He called 911 and the suspect fled on foot.

Capt. Frank Fujii, police spokesman, said the suspect has no prior convictions.

Neighbors said they heard loud yelling, along with screaming from someone who sounded to be in pain, just before police arrived at the home. They remembered Sueo Kawakami as a friendly man who regularly walked the community and waved to neighbors.

"I was shocked," said Mariano Soriano. "They (the Kawakami family) were so quiet."

Mariano and Bheng Soriano woke up about 2 a.m. yesterday when they heard loud noises.

Grace Geronimo, who lives next door to the Kawakamis, said she woke up early yesterday when she heard a woman screaming in pain. She also heard yelling, but could not make out what was being said.

She said she's never heard arguing coming from the home before and often saw the suspect in the neighborhood, usually walking the quiet streets with his head down.

Geronimo also said she and the Kawakamis often exchanged small gifts, including baked goods and plants.

"He (Sueo) is so friendly," she said.

Ariel Tolentino, who lives across the street, said he had heard a few arguments coming from the home, but nothing significant.

"I never thought he (the suspect) could do such a thing," he said.

Police would not say how many hatchet wounds the victims sustained or where the three were arguing in the home. The weapon was recovered in the home, police said.

Mark Kawakami was arrested for second-degree murder and second-degree attempted murder. He is being held at the Honolulu cellblock, but has not been charged.