A Kansas man is accused of stabbing a Hawaii boat captain at sea with a filet knife.

Avery Nissen is now facing charges of second-degree attempted murder in connection to the April 16 attack, which took place during a three-hour snorkel tour off the Kona coast, according to a statement from the Hawai’i Police Department.

When Kona patrol officers arrived at the Honokōhau Harbor, they found the captain of the boat—identified as Stanley Lurbiekci, according to Hawaii News Now—suffering from stab wounds to the lower abdomen and cuts to the head and hands. 

Witnesses aboard the boat told police that Nissen allegedly attacked the captain with a filet knife. Other passengers intervened and restrained him until the boat made it back to shore. 

The 62-year-old was transported to the Kona Community Hospital, where police said he remains in stable condition. 

Owner and president of Hawaii Nautical Mark Towill described Lurbiekci as a “real hero and a fighter.”

“I’m just incredibly grateful that our team is safe and that the situation ended the way it did,” Towill told the news outlet. “I’ve never heard of anything like this happening in this industry before, and just really grateful to all of our team for the way that they reacted, the professionalism that was demonstrated.”

Police said the motive in the attack is unknown.

In addition to the second-degree attempted murder charge, prosecutors have also charged Nissen with first-degree assault and second-degree assault, police said.

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He’s currently being held on a $1,570,000 bond and is expected to appear in Kona District Court for an initial appearance on April 20. It’s unclear whether Nissen has retained an attorney.

Police are asking anyone with information on the alleged attack to contact Detective Bradley Llanes at (808) 326-4646, ext. 268 or via email at Bradley.Llanes@hawaiipolice.gov.

I remember watching a documentary about Idaho’s wildlands.  A narrator said there were probably many parts of the state where no human being has ever set foot.  I believe that, but I stay relatively close to the highways.  If I were 30 years younger, I would probably enjoy exploring the back country, but today, unless a plane takes me in and out, it’s not happening.  I can’t say definitively that there is one spot that I find better than others.  We’re surrounded by beautiful terrain, however.  One place keeps calling me back.

Like a Scene from a Legendary Movie

When I go over the mountain between Gooding and Fairfield, I take time to stop at the overlook above the Camas Prairie.  It reminds me of a scene in Exodus, where the Paul Newman character takes an American woman to look across a flat plain leading to Mount Tabor.  He explains that’s the site where Deborah gathered her armies.  It makes me feel there is something godly about the Camas Prairie.  I keep going back to this spot.  Sometimes I take along a folding chair and sit and look at the world below.

Slow Down and See the Work of the Creator

Fairfield may be nothing more than a blip as people speed down Route 20, but it’s their loss.  On the other side of the highway is some of the prettiest country in Idaho.  It’s going to be a lot less lush this spring, but drought conditions haven’t been nearly as severe in the central highlands.  But if I’m granted a few more years by the Almighty, I plan to see the prairie for many more springs.

KALISPELL — A Flathead County man is turning a personal rock bottom into a lifeline for his community by starting a free, late-night ride service to keep drunk drivers off the roads.

Adam Bruzza started Big Sky Sobriety Shuttle LLC, a free ride share service for people who have been drinking, after realizing he was struggling with addiction.

Maddie Keifer reports – watch the video here:

MT man starts free, late-night ride service to keep drunk drivers off the roads

“I just wanted to give people who do still drink the option for a safe, sober ride home,” Bruzza said.

Bruzza said a devastating mistake behind the wheel became a turning point where he decided enough was enough.

“I was charged with a DUI October 22 of 2024,” Bruzza said.

After a few months focused on his sobriety, Bruzza channeled his energy into his community by starting the shuttle service.

He operates the shuttle in his personal pickup truck. Riders can reach him by phone, text or social media at any time of day or night at no cost.

“I just wanted to give others the opportunity to not get a life changing charge,” Bruzza said.

Bruzza works with bars to connect riders with his service. Although the Big Sky Sobriety Shuttle is a new endeavor, he has already seen a big impact.

“The community response without a doubt has been unconditional love and support that makes my heart all warm and fuzzy,” Bruzza said.

Bruzza also shared a message for others who may be struggling with addiction.

“Your life is worth it, there are people that care out there and it is okay to ask for help,” Bruzza said.

To learn more, click here to visit the Facebook page.