Elderly Puna Man Charged with the Attempted Murder of His 76-Year-Old Wife

Hawai’i Island police have charged 77-year-old Lowell Thomas Pofahl, of Pahoa, with attempted murder, following a domestic incident with his 76-year-old wife, on Friday night, November 22, 2024, at their Nanawale Estates home.

On Sunday morning, November 24, 2024, after conferral with Hawai’i County Prosecutors, detectives with the Area I Juvenile Aid Section charged Pofahl with:

• Second-degree attempted murder
• First-degree assault
• Abuse of a family or household member
• Carrying or use of a firearm in the commission of a separate felony

Pofahl’s’s bail has been set at $1,655,000. He remains in police custody pending his initial court appearance scheduled for this afternoon, November 25, 2024, in Hilo District Court.

The charges against Pofahl stem from an incident reported on Friday night, November 22, 2024, shortly before 10:30 p.m.., when Police Dispatch received a call from a male identifying himself as Pofahl, stating that he had attempted to kill his 76-year-old wife.

Puna patrol officers responded to the scene, and immediately contacted Pofahl, where he was taken into custody, without incident. Officers then entered the residence and located the victim lying in a pool of blood, with severe life-threatening injuries. Officers immediately rendered first aide to the victim until Hawai’i Fire Department personnel arrived, continued life-saving measures, and transported her to the Hilo Benioff Medical Center Emergency Room.

Officers at the scene were alerted to a shotgun within the residence, which was recovered, as it was reportedly used to threaten and beat the victim. She was not shot.

Upon initial assessment of her injuries, the victim received a fractured skull, brain bleed, concussion, partial thumb amputation, and numerous puncture wounds and lacerations about her body. Due to the severity of her injuries, she was later transported to the Queen’s Medical Center on O’ahu. Her condition has since improved; however, she remains hospitalized in stable condition.

Honolulu Police Department detectives assisted with following up with the victim on O’ahu.

On Saturday afternoon, November 23, 2024, Area I Criminal Investigation Division personnel served a search warrant at the Nanawale Estates residence, and recovered various weapons believed to have been used by Pofahl to beat and injure the victim, as well as additional evidentiary items.   

Police ask anyone who may have information relative to this incident and/or the individuals involved, to contact Acting Detective Corey Kaneko of the Area I Juvenile Aid Section at (808) 961-8843 or email at Corey.Kaneko@hawaiicounty.gov or the police department’s non-emergency number, at (808) 935-3311.