OMAO — On Thursday morning, Punee Road was quiet and peaceful. A gentle breeze bringing small white butterflies with it, whispered through coconut trees. Occasionally, neighborhood dogs could be heard barking.
At an off-white single family home, the porch light was still on, an old car was in the driveway, tools in front, as if someone had been working to fix up the vehicle.
A small piece of police caution tape remained tied on the front door.
It was the home of Joellen Hartman, 67, a retired teacher, who was found dead by Kauai Police Department officers Tuesday after they were called for a welfare check.
According to KPD, a preliminary investigation revealed her death was the result of injuries related to an assault.
Peter Grewer, 62, her tenant, was arrested and charged with suspicion of murder in the second degree. He’s being held at police cellblock on $1 million bail.
Her neighbor, Addie Enriquez, said Hartman was a nice lady who enjoyed crafts.
Every morning around 5, Enriquez said she and her husband would hear Hartman yelling at the chickens that congregated in her backyard to be quiet. Tuesday was the first morning they didn’t hear her.
They were neighborly, taking care of each other’s animals and keeping an eye on each other’s homes when they went on vacation. Enriquez said her husband would help Hartman fix things in her home.
“We used to go over, talk story with her and drink wine with her,” Enriquez said.
During the holidays, Enriquez said she made sure to bring Hartman a plate of food.
The homicide comes as a shock to Enriquez.
She said Grewer was supposed to move out and she thought maybe police came to get him out of the house.
“So when I heard that, (Hartman had died), I couldn’t believe we didn’t hear nothing,” she said.
It’s scary, Enriquez said, knowing that someone who lived right next door could do something like that.
“I don’t know how to process it,” she said.
Kauai Complex Area Superintendent Bill Arakaki said Hartman worked with the school district for 20 years, retiring in 2014.
“Our thoughts and deepest sympathy goes out to her family, relatives, friends and colleagues during this tragic and difficult time,” he said.
