Investigators today were trying to learn what caused a fire last night at a Kalihi restaurant.

King Buffet, 2300 N. King St., sustained damage estimated at $50,000 to the building and $30,000 to its contents from the 11:14 p.m. fire, said fire department spokesman Capt. Emmit Kane.

Police responding to a security alarm discovered the fire. Four fire companies arrived at 11:32 p.m. and reported the blaze under control at 11:56 p.m.

Charges filed in machete incident

Authorities yesterday charged a Waipahu man with attempted murder after another man was struck with a machete Friday during a confrontation in Kalihi.

Julian J.G. Badua of a Limimoe Street address also was charged with two counts of third-degree criminal property damage after tires were slashed on two parked vehicles. Bail was set at $75,000.

Police arriving at 1:12 p.m. at Kuikele and Kalihi streets said they were forced to draw their service pistols, but that they convinced Badua to disarm and surrender.

Badua is accused of injuring a man, 41, with the knife. The man was treated at The Queen’s Medical Center for a small cut on his shoulder.

Man dies after rescue from surf

A 23-year-old man found floating face down yesterday morning off a North Shore beach later died at Kahuku Hospital.

The medical examiner’s office today said the man’s identity was being withheld pending positive identification.