Hawai'i briefs

Advertiser Staff

Barge accident damages boats

A barge broke free from its tugboat and collided with seven pleasure craft last night while entering Kawaihae Harbor on the Big Island.

Coast Guard spokeswoman Erica Ryan said the barge was being towed by the Maunaloa when the cable tow broke shortly before 6 p.m. The cause of the accident was under investigation, but Ryan said the winds were gusting up to 70 mph at the time.

No one was on board the pleasure boats, and there were no injuries.

The barge ran aground, and the Coast Guard and Fire Department were at the scene assessing damages last night. The barge was refloated and taken to the pier, where it was secured.

The Coast Guard today also will assess any possible environmental damage, Ryan said.

Fuel enters drain leading to ocean

An unknown amount of diesel fuel was spilled near a Bannister Street business yesterday morning and entered a storm drain that leads to the ocean.

The spill was reported at 10:33 a.m. at PEW Global Corp. of 824 Bannister St. in Kalihi. Fire department spokesman Capt. Richard Soo said the company's owner was attempting to move three 55-gallon drums of diesel when they began to leak.

Soo said rainwater washed the fuel into a storm drain, which led to Kalihi Stream and the ocean. Fire crews placed absorbent on the road, but Soo said it was not known how much fuel entered the storm drain.

The Department of Health and U.S. Coast Guard were notified.

Suspect sought in attempted robbery

Police yesterday were searching for a man who tried to rob a Kailua restaurant Feb. 2.

According to police, the man, armed with a large knife and carrying a bomb-like device, walked into Subway Sandwiches and Salads, at 1020 Keolu Drive, at about 10:15 p.m. and ordered the employees to open the register. When the employees told the man they could not, he tried to pry it open with his knife.

The man was unsuccessful and ran away.

The man was described as 18 to 20 years old, 6 feet to 6 feet 2 inches tall and 140 to 160 pounds. He had a medium build with an olive complexion and long, curly eyelashes. He wore a gray hooded jacket, black jeans, work shoes with a scarf across the lower portion of his face.

He was armed with a silver knife and a square plastic box with wires attached.

Anyone with information may call detective James Anderson directly at 529-3436, CrimeStoppers at 955-8300 or *CRIME on a cellular phone.