Police Beat

Advertiser Staff

Stranded hikers rescued on Maui

More than a dozen stranded hikers were rescued yesterday after an afternoon storm swelled rivers and streams on Maui, fire and police officials said.

Fourteen people were stranded at the end of Ulaino Road in Hana at about 6 p.m. when a stream of water crossed the roadway, Maui police said. The water was about 2 1/2 to 3 feet deep and had a strong current.

With the use of ropes and rescue personnel, 12 people were taken across the stream safely and the remaining two people chose to stay on the other side with their car. Officers from Hana took the 12 people to shelter in Hana Town, where they were assisted with lodging.

Earlier, in Waihe'e Valley, four stranded hikers were rescued by helicopter and seven others were escorted to safety on foot yesterday after waters rose to dangerous levels.

Maui fire officials said rescue crews were summoned to the area just after noon. The four hikers, two men and two women, were rescued by 4:35 p.m.

No one was hurt.

Officials said they crews were also responding to reports of stranded hikers in the Twin Falls area.

Warrant calls for teenager's arrest

Honolulu police last night were searching for an 18-year-old man who is wanted for a pool hall robbery last November.

Jason Kamealoa Perez is wanted on an outstanding state grand jury warrant for first-degree robbery, police said. His bail was set at $75,000.

The crime occurred Nov. 24, 2001, at a pool hall on North Nimitz Highway, with two men robbing another man at gunpoint.

Perez is 5 feet 9 inches, 140 pounds, with a slim build. He has dark brown hair, brown eyes and a slight mustache. He is known to frequent the 'Ewa Beach area.

Anyone with information is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 955-8300.

Missing man, 63, has Alzheimer's

Police yesterday were asking for the public's help in finding a 63-year-old man who has Alzheimer's disease and was last seen July 21 in Makiki.

Benjamin K. Ah Yen was last seen at 8 a.m. at his Makiki home, police said. Ah Yen appeared to be disoriented and has not been seen at places that he normally frequents, police said.

Anyone with information is asked to call Officer Joe Self of the Honolulu Police Department's Missing Persons Detail at 529-3064 or 529-3115. Calls can also be made to 911 or CrimeStoppers at 955-8300.