Neighbor Island briefs
Advertiser Staff and News Services
BIG ISLAND
22-year-old held in alleged rape
KEALAKEHE, Hawai'i — Police detectives in West Hawai'i were holding a 22-year-old South Kohala man yesterday for the alleged rape and kidnap of his girlfriend.
Police said the attack occurred in Kawaihae Saturday afternoon. The woman was taken to Kona Community Hospital where she was treated and released.
The suspect remained in custody last night at the Kona cellblock on the two felony counts plus two counts of abusing a household member.
Big Island pair charged in robbery
HILO, Hawai'i — A pair of Big Island men suspected of robbing and injuring a Japanese student near his dormitory Friday night were charged with felonies late Saturday.
Police Lt. Derek Pacheco said Marcus Anthony Winkler Jr., 20, of Miloli'i and Keo Samuel Janto, 18, of Popolo Street in Hilo were held at the Hilo police cellblock after being unable to raise bail. They are expected to be arraigned this afternoon in District Court. Janto was ordered held in lieu of $20,000 and Winkler for $5,000.
Police said the suspects robbed the 16-year-old student at 5:45 p.m. Friday, forcing the youth to turn over a shoulder bag and its contents valued at $170. They were arrested at 10:40 p.m. Friday.
The victim suffered scratches and abrasions to his arms and legs, and a sprained ankle. He was treated at Hilo Medical Center and released.
Power failure affects 11,000
HILO, Hawai'i — About 11,000 Big Island homes and businesses lost power yesterday morning following another failure by the Hamakua Energy Partners generating plant at Haina.
Hawaii Electric Light Co., which buys power from the new $100 million facility, reported the loss of service lasted from 22 to 58 minutes. The independent power plant has tripped off line a dozen times since it began producing last August.
Spokesman Jay Ignacio said the power failed at 8:37 a.m. when equipment automatically shut down to protect other units. All but 1,600 customers were back on line by 8:59 a.m. Power in the Kea'au and Pana'ewa areas was restored by 9:35 a.m.
