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Fire damages Kalihi Valley home

A two-alarm fire yesterday morning caused an estimated $225,000 in damage to a two-story home in Kalihi Valley, said Honolulu Fire Department Capt. Richard Soo.

"No one was hurt, and the house is still standing, but there was significant damage," said Soo. "The people can't live there."

Soo said 28 firefighters were on the scene at 1631Hauiki Street for three hours, although the blaze was under control 15 minutes after the alarm came in at 8:14 a.m.

The home was occupied by an 85-year-old woman, her son and his wife, both 61, who were all having breakfast when the fire broke out in the elder woman's upstairs bedroom.

Investigators are still trying to determine the cause of the fire.

All three escaped without harm. The couple's daughter, 20, who also lived in the house, had already left for work.

Soo said the family is being assisted by the Red Cross.

Man accused in hit-and-run crash

A hit-and-run driver in Kalihi was chased down by witnesses and held for police Friday after a 31-year-old woman was hit while crossing with the light, police said.

The woman was treated for a fractured right knee and held overnight at The Queens Medical Center.

Police said the 23-year-old man hit her about 9:30 p.m. as she was crossing Kamehameha Highway at Middle Street. He was driving east on Kamehameha Highway and ran a red light.

The man tried to continue on but was stopped by witnesses, who held him until patrol officers arrived and arrested him, police said.

He was charged with failure to render aid at a traffic accident.