Maui Doctor Accused of Attempted Murder Claims Self-Defense in Birthday Hike Attack

Gerhardt Konig says he struck his wife Arielle with a rock after she tried to push him off a cliff during an argument on her birthday.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 3:03am

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A Maui doctor charged with the attempted murder of his wife during a birthday hike in 2025 testified that he acted in self-defense after she tried to push him off a cliff. Gerhardt Konig said his wife Arielle grabbed him by the testicles and hit him with a rock, prompting him to wrestle the rock away and strike her twice. Prosecutors have charged Konig with second-degree attempted murder, alleging he pushed Arielle toward a cliff and attacked her with a syringe and rock.

Why it matters

This case highlights the complex dynamics and differing accounts that can arise in domestic violence incidents, especially when they occur in remote outdoor settings with limited witnesses. It also raises questions about how the legal system handles claims of self-defense in attempted murder cases involving intimate partners.

The details

According to Gerhardt Konig's testimony, the couple got into an argument about Arielle's emotional affair with a co-worker during a birthday hike near Honolulu. Konig said Arielle then tried to push him off a cliff, leading to a scuffle where she grabbed him and hit him with a rock. Konig said he eventually wrestled the rock away and struck her twice in self-defense. Prosecutors, however, have charged Konig with second-degree attempted murder, alleging he pushed Arielle toward a cliff and attacked her with a syringe and rock.

  • On March 24, 2025, the alleged attack occurred on the Pali Puka Trail near Honolulu.
  • Three months prior, Gerhardt Konig discovered his wife Arielle had been having an emotional affair with a co-worker.

The players

Gerhardt Konig

A 47-year-old anesthesiologist from Maui who is on trial for the alleged attempted murder of his wife during a birthday hike.

Arielle Konig

Gerhardt Konig's wife, who he is accused of trying to kill during a birthday hike in 2025.

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What they’re saying

“Nobody's coming to save you.”

— Arielle Konig

“I think I was saying to myself, like, 'she said I tried to kill her.'”

— Gerhardt Konig, Defendant

What’s next

The judge in the case will rule on whether Gerhardt Konig's claim of self-defense is valid, which will determine if the second-degree attempted murder charge stands.

The takeaway

This case highlights the complexities of domestic violence incidents, where differing accounts and claims of self-defense can complicate the legal process. It also raises broader questions about how the justice system handles such cases and balances the rights of both alleged victims and perpetrators.