Neighbor Island briefs
Advertiser Staff and News Service
BIG ISLAND
Sex-assault convict escapes on Big Isle
KULANI, Hawai'i — A state prison inmate serving time for sexual assault, who was transferred recently from O'ahu to Kulani Prison on Mauna Loa, escaped yesterday morning.
About six hours after he was reported missing, police identified the fugitive as Shayne Kobayashi, who some prison officials believe may have been assisted by the driver of a car reported near the entrance to the 10,000-acre prison site around the same time the prisoner turned up missing.
Police declined last night to comment on that report.
Kobayashi, 27, was present at 7:15 a.m. but couldn't be found 7 1/2 hours later.
Lt. Chadwick Fukui urged those who may see Kobayashi not to confront him but to call police in Hilo at (808) 935-3311. Tips also may be sent to the Crime Stoppers Hawaii lines at (808) 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona. There is a $1,000 reward.
Lava-access road closed at Kalapana
HILO, Hawai'i — The Kalapana lava-viewing access road has been closed because of a dwindling number of visitors.
Mayor Harry Kim opened the road last summer at a cost of $82,000 to make it safer for crowds to have access to the coastline near where lava was pouring into the ocean.
The Kilauea eruption has been ongoing since Jan. 3, 1983, but activity has shifted upslope and back within the boundaries of the Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park.
MOLOKA'I
Young Bros. barge goes aground
A Young Bros. barge is expected to be towed back to Honolulu today after going aground Tuesday while under tow near Moloka'i.
Mark Cohen, Young Bros. vice president, said the barge will be re-evaluated in Honolulu. Another barge in the fleet has taken its place.
The barge arrived at Kahului Harbor around 7 p.m. Tuesday with a severe list, and dock workers unloaded the containers to stabilize it.
KAUA'I
Lihu'e-area fire destroys boat
LIHU'E, Kaua'i — A fire destroyed a boat in its boathouse and a nearby storage container early Tuesday in the Kupolo subdivision of Lihu'e.
Firefighters responding to the 1 a.m. alarm contained the fire before it could damage a house 20 feet away. The Fire Department estimated damage at $150,000. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
