Doctor on Trial for Attempted Murder of Wife During Hike in Hawaii

Closing arguments expected Tuesday in high-profile case with conflicting accounts

Apr. 7, 2026 at 5:31pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An extreme close-up of a bloodied rock, its rough texture and sharp edges emphasized by dramatic lighting, conceptually representing the violence at the heart of this case.A violent attack on a hiking trail exposes the fragility of domestic relationships and the high stakes of self-defense claims.Honolulu Today

A Hawaii doctor, Gerhardt Konig, is on trial for the alleged attempted murder of his wife, Arielle Konig, during a hike on the Pali Puka Trail in Oahu in March 2025. Prosecutors claim Konig pushed his wife near a cliff's edge and beat her with a rock, while the defense argues Konig acted in self-defense after his wife attacked him first. Both Konigs took the stand during the three-week trial, providing vastly different accounts of the incident. Closing arguments are expected on Tuesday, with the jury set to begin deliberations.

Why it matters

This high-profile case has drawn significant attention in Hawaii and beyond, raising questions about domestic violence, the state of the Konigs' marriage, and the use of force in self-defense. The outcome could have major implications for Gerhardt Konig's medical career and the custody of the couple's two young sons.

The details

Prosecutors allege that during the hike, Gerhardt Konig pushed his wife Arielle towards the edge of the cliff, pinned her down, and beat her with a rock up to 10 times, potentially trying to knock her unconscious to drag her over the edge. Arielle Konig testified that she fought back by biting her husband's arm and pleading for her life, saying their children would be orphaned. Two female hikers happened upon the scene and called 911, reporting a man was trying to kill a woman. Arielle Konig was treated at a hospital for severe scalp lacerations. Gerhardt Konig, however, maintains he acted in self-defense after his wife pushed him and hit him with a rock first during an argument about her 'emotional affair'.

  • On March 24, 2025, the alleged incident occurred on the Pali Puka Trail in Oahu.
  • In May 2025, Arielle Konig filed for divorce and sought full custody of the couple's two children.
  • The three-week trial began in early April 2026, with closing arguments expected on April 11, 2026.

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 hike in Oahu. He has pleaded not guilty, claiming he acted in self-defense.

Arielle Konig

The wife of Gerhardt Konig, who testified that her husband pushed her towards a cliff's edge and beat her with a rock, nearly killing her. She filed for divorce in May 2025 and is seeking full custody of their two children.

Emile Konig

Gerhardt Konig's 20-year-old son from a previous marriage, who testified about a FaceTime call in which his father allegedly confessed to trying to kill Arielle Konig.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“'He's saying, 'You're done. We're done with you. We don't need you anymore. You're done. You're done,''”

— Arielle Konig, Wife of Gerhardt Konig

“'That he would not be making it back to Maui and to take good care of the younger kids, and that Ari, my stepmom, had been cheating on him, and that he tried to kill her.'”

— Emile Konig, Son of Gerhardt Konig

“'I just felt hopeless at that point in terms of everything. I felt horrified about what I did to her, that I had caused this to her, that I had resorted to violence against my wife, the person who I love the most in the world. And I just kind of felt hopeless in terms of our relationship, too.'”

— Gerhardt Konig, Defendant

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether the jury can begin deliberations after closing arguments.

The takeaway

This case highlights the complex dynamics of domestic violence, the challenges of proving self-defense, and the potential consequences for medical professionals accused of serious crimes. The outcome will have significant implications for the Konig family and could set a precedent for similar cases in Hawaii.