Posted on: Friday, December 13, 2002

Hawai'i briefs

Businesses, driver being sued

A lawsuit was filed yesterday against three contractors, two Wailuku bars and the driver whose vehicle struck and killed retired Maui police officer Antonio Funes, 54, as he was directing traffic at a highway construction site.

The complaint was filed in Maui Circuit Court on behalf of Funes' ex-wife, Suzanne, and two children. Named as defendants are Grace Pacific Corp., Sun Systems, Dillingham Construction, Niki's Lounge and Gardenia Lounge, Gardenia president Hyon Suk Cho Nam and pickup truck driver Bruce B. Mauvais.

Mauvais has also been charged with manslaughter in connection with the fatal collision June 14 on Honoapi'ilani Highway in Ma'alaea.

The lawsuit claims the contractors failed to provide proper lighting, directional signs and other safety controls and that Antonio Funes had complained about the hazardous conditions before his death.

The two bars are accused of serving Mauvais even though he allegedly was intoxicated.

Hit-run driver in Kona sought

KAILUA, Hawai'i — Big Island police are looking for a hit-and-run driver who injured a pedestrian Wednesday on Ali'i Drive.

A 47-year-old Kona woman was walking south on the makai shoulder of the road at about 11:15 a.m. when she was hit by a light-colored, older-model compact sedan, said Lt. Randall Medeiros. The car was last seen heading north on Ali'i Drive.

The victim was taken to the Kona Community Hospital, where she remained in stable condition yesterday in the intensive care unit.

Anyone with information on the incident should call police officer Grad Elarianoff at (808) 326-4646, the police non-emergency number at (808) 935-3311, or Crime-

Stoppers at (808) 329-8181 in Kona or (808) 961-8300 in Hilo.

Police warn of loan scam

HILO, Hawai'i — Big Island residents are being warned about a Canada-based scam involving the promise of easy loans with no fees.

South Hilo police officer Darren Horio said a phony company ran a classified ad in the Hilo newspaper Nov. 19 through Dec. 10 that said: "Short of Cash, Financial Assistance available for 1st & 2nd mortgage, business, personal and student loans, up to $500,000. Quick results. No fees."

Anyone victimized by the bogus loan offer should call Horio at (808) 961-2311 or the police nonemergency number, (808) 935-3311.