Neighbor Island briefs
Advertiser Staff
BIG ISLAND
Tourists injured in Big Island crash
WAIKOLOA, Hawai'i — Three visitors from Japan remain hospitalized yesterday after a collision Wednesday between a Ford van and a tractor trailer loaded with gravel.
Police said the accident occurred at 1:17 p.m. when the rented van driven by Atsuhi Nakano, 39, of Kanagawa, Japan, failed to yield the right of way at the intersection of Waikoloa Road and Paniolo Drive in Waikoloa Village.
Kento Nakano, 3, a passenger in the van, was improving yesterday at Kapi'olani Medical Center for Women and Children after initially being listed in critical condition.
Another passenger, Kazuhiko Kimura, 72, of Tokyo, remained in critical condition at North Hawai'i Community Hospital, where the van driver was recovering from minor injuries. Four other passengers were treated and released.
The truck driver, Rex Bailado, 39, of Pa'auilo, escaped injury.
Computers stolen from Big Isle school
KEALAKEKUA, Hawai'i — Computers, monitors and printers valued at nearly $14,000 were taken in recent burglaries at Konawaena High School and the Kona Krafts Center.
Lt. Henry Hickman said the break-ins occurred between June 8 and June10.
Anyone with information can call Crime Stoppers Hawai'i at (808) 329-8181 in Kona or (808) 961-8300 in Hilo.
Ka'u driver, 39, dies in accident
MANUKA, Hawai'i — A Ka'u driver died in the Manuka area of the Mamalahoa Highway early yesterday when he was thrown from his Jeep Cherokee after it struck an embankment and overturned near the 82-mile marker.
Gary Mullineaux, 39, of Hawaiian Ocean View Estates, was pronounced dead at Kona Community Hospital at 5:13 a.m.
MAUI
Cravalho resigns from water board
WAILUKU, Maui — Elmer Cravalho, former House speaker and two-term Maui mayor, has resigned from the Board of Water Supply because of health reasons.
Cravalho, 75, underwent surgery for blockage of his carotid artery April 6 and said yesterday his health continues to improve. He noted that he returned to his job as treasurer and chief executive officer of the Kula Community Federal Credit Union only 10 days after his surgery.
Nevertheless, his condition prevents him from putting in the kind of work required of an effective board member, Cravalho said.
Cravalho said yesterday he wouldn't rule out another foray into public life. "One never knows,'' he said.
Haleakala visitor center reopens to public
HALEAKALA NATIONAL PARK, Maui — The visitor center and newly repaved parking lot at the summit of Haleakala reopened yesterday.
At the same time, the third phase of an 8-mile road construction project at the park began. Over the next month, the Park Road from the visitor center junction to Kalahaku will be resurfaced. Visitors should expect one-lane traffic and delays of up to one hour while the work continues.
Although most facilities at the summit are now open, some restrictions apply. Parking at the summit remains limited.
The $1.5 million road project started May 7.
KAUA'I
Kaua'i Council overrides veto
LIHU'E, Kaua'i — The County Council yesterday overrode Mayor Maryanne Kusaka's veto of several lines in the fiscal 2001-02 budget, but council members and administration officials said they do not expect serious problems.
Kusaka did not challenge the council's $81.5 million spending plan, but said a number of the deadlines set for the administration to report to the council on financial issues were too tight.
Administrative assistant Wallace Rezentes Sr. said he will present to the council a list of financial reporting deadlines the administration feels it can meet.
