Neighbor Island briefs
Advertiser Staff
Bail stands for man in kidnapping
HILO, Hawai'i — A Big Island judge continued bail at $24,000 yesterday for a Hilo man accused of kidnapping his former girlfriend.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled today for Gregory K. Isabel, 31, charged with a May 3 incident in which he allegedly confronted the woman in a bar and later hid in the back seat of her Honda Accord.
When the woman tried to exit the vehicle, Isabel reportedly restrained her. Another woman who was present fled and called police.
Police said the suspect drove his ex-girlfriend against her will to a old cane field in Pepe'ekeo and later released her unharmed.
Isabel is charged with kidnapping, abuse of a household member, car theft and breaking into a vehicle.
Maui canoe festival starts Sunday
LAHAINA, Maui — "In Celebration of Canoes,'' Lahaina's annual festival honoring the voyaging heritage of Hawai'i and Polynesia, will be held Sunday through May 27.
Cultural authorities and carvers from across the Pacific will showcase their canoe-building techniques and traditions during the festival, which begins Sunday with a traditional 'awa ceremony at Kamehameha Iki Park.
Over the following two weeks, the public will be able to watch the builders transform logs into ocean-going vessels, culminating in a canoe launching and ho'olaule'a celebration.
A narrated walking tour of Lahaina, slide show lectures about double-hull sailing canoes and other activities are planned during the two weeks.
On May 19, Brothers Cazimero, Kalapana and Henry Kapono will perform in concert.
For more information, call the event hot line at (808) 667-9194 or visit www.visitlahaina.com.
Big Island judges reappointed
HILO, Hawai'i — Judges William Chillingworth of Waimea and Barbara Takase of Hilo have won four-year reappointments as per diem Family Court judges.
Chillingworth was a longtime District Court judge before retiring from full-time duties in 1997. He will serve through May 7, 2005.
Takase is a former Big Island deputy prosecutor now in private practice. Her term runs through May 3, 2005.
Man sought in Hilo robbery, assault
Hilo police are asking for the public's help in solving a robbery and assault that occurred downtown shortly before noon Monday.
They say a 21-year-old man was robbed as he was walking over the Pu'u'eo Bridge to pay rent at a downtown bank branch between 11:30 and 11:45 a.m.
The robber struck him, took his wallet and fled makai on Wailuku Drive.
The victim described the assailant as a local male, about 5-feet-8 or 5-feet-9, about 170 pounds, medium build, short, black hair trimmed above the collar and wearing a white T-shirt and light-color pants.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Royce Serrao of the South Hilo Patrol Division at 961-2213, the police nonemergency number, 935-3311, or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona.
Malo celebration scaled back
LAHAINA, Maui — Because of last month's teachers strike, Saturday's David Malo Day celebration at Lahainaluna High School will be abbreviated.
Only the sunset Hawaiiana pageant will be held.
The David Malo Ho'ike musical production will start at 6 p.m. on Boarders Field.
The event is free and will feature hula dancers from the school's Hawaiiana Club, the Boarders Chorus and the ho'ike court led by Queen Jennifer Cordero and King Kapena Sodetani.
There will be no laulau supper this year.
