Father stabs his wife and three children aged between 10 to 17 to death before taking his life in Hawaii home after neighbors reported an early-morning argument

A father fatally stabbed his wife and three children before taking his own life at their family home in Hawaii on Sunday morning in a suspected murder-suicide.

Honolulu police found a knife after gaining access to the home in Manoa, a quiet residential neighborhood of Honolulu.

The five bodies, including that of the suspect and his kids aged 17, 12 and 10, were found inside but police would not reveal where.

The mass killing is the second deadliest murder in Honolulu in almost 25 years.

'HPD investigators are at a Manoa residence where multiple deceased persons were found,' police said in a statement.

Multiple people, including the suspect, were found dead in a Manoa home on Sunday morning

Lt. Deena Thoemmes, left, and Police Chief Joe Logan both gave details about the killings during a Sunday night press conference

Crime scene tape surrounds the home as police investigate the horrific crime

'Based on the evidence found at the scene and the investigation thus far, it appears the adult male killed the female and the juveniles with the knife that was recovered at the scene,' said HPD Lt. Deena Thoemmes at a press conference on Sunday evening.

'Witnesses report that there was an argument in the home early this morning. Multiple murder investigations have been initiated.'

Police said they received an anonymous call about a disturbance at that home on Waaloa Place at 8:30am but nobody opened the door to police officers when they arrived. 

Officers returned to the home 45 minutes later at 9:15am when the discovery of the five deaths was made. 

'They [first responding officers] left because it was an anonymous caller, and there was no one there to meet them' explained Lt. Thoemmes. 'And that's what they got called to initially. It was the second call when they realized what happened.'

'I think there was an attempt to try to find out who the initial caller was and then I think at 9am that individual was able to make contact with HPD,' added HPD Chief Joe Logan. 'And then make contact with our officers in person where we could figure out more info and gain entry at that point.'

'They're like the typical really festive family, they dress up the house for the holidays and it's normal,' said neighbor Hiro Izumo

A tent was erected in the front yard of the home as police conducted their investigation

'HPD investigators are at a Manoa residence where multiple deceased persons were found' police said in a statement 

Locals were spooked after hearing the dreadful news.

'It's concerning, neighbors are kind of scared, usually we don't have a lot of crime around here its real quiet, so everyone wants to be safe and make sure everyone is okay, but it's just something that doesn't happen here,' said neighbor Aime Wakai to KHRON2.

'They're like the typical really festive family, they dress up the house for the holidays and it's normal,' added another neighbor Hiro Izumo. 

In an update posted to the Honolulu Police's X account 'investigators have confirmed that the suspect is among those killed in the home.' 

HPD Chief Joe Loga said the murders did not appear to be a random act. The motive is under investigation. 

A heavy police presence was seen at a residence on Waaloa Place in upper Manoa, Hawaii News Now reported. 

Two medical examiner vans were also  seen at the alongside Police Chief Logan and PEER support staff for officers.