PAUOA (HawaiiNewsNow) – Domestic violence advocates say the killing of a 7-year-old boy at the hands of his father in Pauoa on Tuesday could have been prevented.
Police say Reef Aikau was stabbed to death by his father, Gerald, who later hanged himself.
Gerald Aikau was legendary waterman Eddie Aikau’s nephew.
Court records show Reef Aikau’s mother is traveling this summer in Europe on a trip she fought for him to take as well.
The documents also show that Gerald Aikau had a history of family abuse, and that he and his wife, Katherine, were in the middle of a bitter divorce and custody battle for their son.
Domestic violence experts say it’s rare for a parent to kill a child, but it is common for abusers to use their children against a spouse. [Read Full Article]