Hawai'i briefs
Advertiser Staff
Robber hits bank at Wai'alae market
Honolulu police are looking for a man who robbed a Central Pacific Bank branch yesterday in Wai'alae.
The man walked up to a teller at the bank in Times Supermarket at 3221 Wai'alae Ave. at about 2:20 p.m., threw a canvas bag on the counter and demanded money, police said.
The suspect was described as a Caucasian, about 40, with a medium build, about 5 feet 10 and 170 pounds. He had a fair complexion and wore prescription eyeglasses. His hair was brown and gray, including his beard and mustache.
After the robbery, the man drove off in a black, two-door American-made sports car resembling a Trans Am or Firebird.
Witnesses said another man rode in the passenger seat of the car.
Police ask people with information to call CrimeStoppers' hot line at 955-8300.
Truck injures man in Kalihi crosswalk
An 86-year-old Kalihi man was in critical condition at The Queen's Medical Center late yesterday after he was struck by a pickup on North King Street in Kalihi.
The man was crossing with the light and was in a crosswalk when he was struck at 7:15 a.m., police said.
The driver of the vehicle that stuck him, a 22-year-old Kalihi man, was not intoxicated and was not speeding, police said.
The man was driving a 1986 Chevy Silverado 4 by 4, which was raised high above the road, police said. Drivers of similar vehicles have reported difficulty seeing pedestrians.
Fire, Marine crews save three in Kane'ohe Bay
Honolulu firefighters and U.S. Marines rescued three surfers in a sinking Zodiac yesterday in Kane'ohe Bay.
The surfers, two men and a woman in their 20s, reported sharks circling their inflatable boat after the vessel snagged a reef and developed a leak, said Capt. Kenison Tejada of the fire department.
The surfers had a cellular phone and called 911 at about 6:45 p.m..
Firefighters launched their helicopter, and with the guidance of the surfers on the cell phone, located the boat.
Meanwhile, a Marine rescue unit from the base in Kane'ohe had been monitoring the incident and arrived with a boat.
With the fire helicopter hovering above and offering guidance between the reef heads, the Marines towed the Zodiac to shore.
The surfers were unharmed and declined medical treatment, Tejada said.
Three charged in Puna break-in
HILO, Hawai'i — Three of four suspects involved in an alleged break-in that led police to fatally shoot a Puna man were charged yesterday with burglary, assault and drug possession.
Big Island police Capt. James Day said Leroy K. Kahee, 46, Yvonne M. Samson, 49, and Kawika Kahee, 18, were being held pending arraignment Monday in District Court.
A 20-year-old man who remains a suspect was released while police continue their investigation.
Police said the group forced their way into the Leilani Estates home of Santiago Vasquez, 39, last Saturday and assaulted his female companion. Police responding to a disturbance call saw Vasquez attacking one of the intruders with a knife and shot him when he refused to drop the weapon.
He died of a gunshot wound to the chest.
Power outage hits Big Isle residents
HILO, Hawai'i — More than 5,100 Hawai'i Electric Light Co. customers in Hilo and Puna lost power for about seven minutes yesterday afternoon.
The outage occurred when the Hilo Coast Power Co.'s independent production plant at Pepe'ekeo suddenly lost power, said HELCO spokesman Miles Nagato. The cause is under investigation.
Small sewage spills reported on Maui
WAILUKU, Maui — County officials yesterday reported two small sewage spills that occurred earlier in the week.
The first happened at 11:45 a.m. Sunday when 75 gallons of wet sewage sludge spilled from a dump truck at the Kihei Wastewater Reclamation Facility. The sludge was scooped up and put back in the truck, and the area was flushed with water.
The second incident was reported at 1:38 p.m. Monday, when grease buildup in a main line caused 87 gallons of wastewater to spill from a manhole on Mill Street in Wailuku. About 20 gallons flowed into storm drains, but none of the sewage reached the ocean, officials said.
