Woman pleads not guilty in Ka‘u murder case

KEALAKEKUA — A Naalehu woman on Tuesday pleaded not guilty to murder and attempted murder charges filed in connection with a double stabbing that left one dead at a Ka‘u park earlier this year.

Kaleianuenue Borero-Kaluna appeared in Kona Circuit Court before Judge Melvin H. Fujino, where she entered not guilty pleas to charges of second-degree murder and first- and second-degree attempted murder filed in connection with the April 26 incident at Whittington Beach Park.

Fujino maintained bail for the 19-year-old at $150,000 and set a jury trial for Oct. 22. She remains in custody at Hawaii Community Correctional Center.

Borero-Kaluna is accused of stabbing a 36-year-old man and a 35-year-old woman at the county park off Highway 11 in Ka‘u. Both suffered multiple stab wounds and the woman, later identified as Marie Lyn Boyles, died at the scene.

According to a probable cause statement, the man suffered injuries to his shoulder, right rib/torso and right hip areas and was taken to Hilo Medical Center for treatment.

The man told police he and Boyles were attacked by his girlfriend, who was wielding a 6- to 8-inch fixed-blade knife, according to the document. Borero-Kaluna was later identified as the suspect.

Police said witnesses reported that after the stabbing, Borero-Kaluna left the scene with another individual in a red pickup truck.

The vehicle, occupied by a 69-year-old man, was eventually located at Punaluu Beach Park that same afternoon. The man was also arrested, but ultimately released pending further investigation. According to court records as of Tuesday afternoon, no charges have been filed against the man in relation to the incident.

Email Laura Ruminski at lruminski@westhawaiitoday.com.