Neighbor Island briefs
Advertiser Staff
BIG ISLAND
Big Island police identify body
HILO, Hawai'i — Big Island police have identified a man whose badly burned body was found Friday inside a vehicle on North Kopua Road in Puna as Roger Iwahashi, 39, of Mountain View.
Lt. Derek Pacheco said the circumstances surrounding Iwahashi's death point to foul play. Police did not give any other details.
Call detective Dana Chong Tim at (808) 961-2380 if you have information. Anonymous tips may be made to CrimeStoppers at (808) 961-8300 in Hilo, or (808) 329-8181 in Kona.
Lyman Museum unveils exhibit
HILO, Hawai'i — The Lyman Museum will hold the grand opening Saturday of a permanent exhibit titled "Hawai'i Before Humans."
The 3,000-square-foot Earth Heritage Gallery display was developed by museum staff along with scientists from state and federal agencies, the University of Hawai'i at Hilo, the Smithsonian Institution, the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory and others.
The exhibit explains the creation of the volcanic islands, and the arrival and evolution of animal and plant life.
A central feature is a model of an extinct flightless goose whose bones were found in a cave on Hualalai. The actual bones also will be on display. Genetic material from the bones was used to help develop the model, said museum director Dolly Strazar.
The opening will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with music, storytelling, games, food booths, prizes and presentations by scientists. Admission is free.
KAUA'I
Kaua'i officials seize marijuana
LIHU'E, Kaua'i — Law enforcement teams last week collected more than 13,000 marijuana plants in a three-day operation on Kaua'i.
The county police department was joined by the federal Drug Enforcement Administration, the Army and officers from the state Department of Land and Natural Resources. Four helicopters were used to spot and recover plants ranging in size from seedlings to bushes more than six feet in height.
Sgt. Danilo Abadilla said the marijuana was recovered from mountain areas around the island. No arrests were made.
Free garden tours available on Kaua'i
LAWA'I, Kaua'i — The National Tropical Botanical Garden's main garden in Lawa'i Valley is open for free tours to Kaua'i residents each Saturday.
Residents can check in at the visitor center at the end of Papalina Road in Kalaheo. Three self-guided tours are available, and visitors should allot about two hours for all three.
They include "Spice of Life" economic plants garden, the "Canoe Plants of Ancient Polynesia" garden and "A Walk Among the Natives" garden of native species.
Call 742-2623 for details.
