Indicted Hawaii doctor's wife details alleged hiking trail attack in restraining order petition

HONOLULU -- An anesthesiologist, Gerhardt Konig, has been indicted on attempted murder charges following a disturbing incident on a hiking trail in Hawaii, where he allegedly tried to push his wife off a cliff and inject her with a syringe. The couple had traveled from Maui to Oahu to celebrate her birthday, leaving their young children with a nanny. As they hiked a narrow trail with steep drop-offs, tension escalated when Konig, fueled by jealousy over a suspected affair, began exhibiting violent behavior.

According to a petition for a temporary restraining order filed by his wife, she expressed discomfort during the hike and requested to turn back, but things took a dire turn when Konig physically forced her toward the cliff edge while yelling that he was "sick" of her. Initially thinking he was joking, she soon realized his intent to harm her, leading to a struggle in which she screamed and pleaded for him to stop. During the altercation, he retrieved a syringe from his bag, attempting to inject her with an unknown substance, consistent with his access to various medications as a medical professional.

In a desperate act of self-defense, she bit his arm, prompting him to release her momentarily. However, he quickly escalated the violence, assaulting her with a rock, which attracted the attention of two women nearby who intervened by calling 911 and assisting her down the trail. After the incident, the police arrested Konig, and he later contacted his adult son, expressing suicidal intentions and acknowledging his attempt to kill his wife.

A judge has since mandated that Konig stay away from both his wife and their children. His wife, whose identity is being protected due to her status as a domestic violence victim, has been seeking legal protection since the December incident that sparked Konig's jealousy. The hospital system where Konig worked, Maui Health, has suspended him pending an investigation into the allegations.

Kaiser Permanente, which manages Maui Health, clarified that while Konig is not a direct employee, he is associated with an independent entity contracted for medical services. The case highlights the serious issue of domestic violence and the alarming potential for harm when jealousy and anger escalate, prompting the need for immediate intervention and support for victims.