Neighbor Island briefs
Advertiser Staff
Kailua, Kona man victim of crash
KAILUA, KONA, Hawai'i — A 31-year-old man killed in a three-vehicle collision Sunday on Queen Ka'ahumanu Highway in North Kona has been identified as Steven Thomas Simmons of Kailua, Kona.
Police earlier had identified a second fatality as Miriam Fernandez, 49, of Waimea.
Simmons was a passenger in a 2000 Honda sedan operated by Georgette Fischer, 53, also of Kailua. Police said the southbound Honda tried to pass another vehicle in a no-passing zone and collided with Fernandez's car.
Fischer was listed in critical condition at the Queen's Medical Center.
Police said they suspect drunken driving played a role, but no charges have been filed.
Police investigate fatal Kona beating
KAILUA, KONA, Hawai'i —ÊBig Island police are investigating the death of a 46-year-old man found beaten in the Kahalu'u Beach parking lot Sunday night.
Alden Pauline, 46, of Kailua, Kona, was found lying on the ground at 10:05 p.m. He was taken to Kona Community Hospital and pronounced dead at 11:32 a.m. Monday.
Anyone with information can call detective Gilbert Gaspar at (808) 326-4229; the police nonemergency number at (808) 935-3311; or Crime Stoppers at (808) 329-8181 in Kona, or (808) 961-8300 in Hilo.
Fire destroys home in Puna subdivision
PAHOA, Hawai'i — A fire Monday night destroyed a rural Puna home in the Wa'a Wa'a subdivision outside Pahoa.
Fire department officials said tenant Sarah Fay was changing a refrigerator propane tank around 3:39 p.m. when the gas ignited. Eighteen firefighters, including seven volunteers, fought the blaze for nearly two hours.
The damage to the home, owned by William Praecki, was estimated at $90,000.
Puna man arrested for alleged assault
Big Island police arrested a 46-year-old man yesterday for an alleged attempted sexual assault on a female Japanese tourist that occurred in January.
According to police, the man, identified as Peter Ministero from Leilani Estates in Puna, was arrested on suspicion of attempted sexual assault, terroristic threatening and kidnapping.
He was released without being charged pending possible grand jury indictment.
The alleged assault occurred January 17, 2001, when the woman caught a ride with a man at the Hilo post office across from Kalakaua Park.
The suspect then drove her to the Pi‘ihonua area, held her against her will, attempted to fondle her and brandished a knife when she struggled.
The woman managed to escape and report the incident to police.
Police seek help on school thefts
Kona police are seeking help in solving a burglary in which several computers, cameras, videocassette recorders, a television and computer accessories worth $13,000 were stolen from Waimea School in South Kohala on the Big Island.
The burglary took place between May 18 and 21.
Call the police non-emergency number at 935-3311.
People may also call CrimeStoppers at 329-8181 in Kona, or 961-8300 in Hilo.
