Hawai'i briefs

Advertiser Staff

LEEWARD

3 hospitalized after car crash

An 18-year-old Wai'anae man was under arrest early yesterday and three other men were hospitalized in serious condition after an accident on Farrington Highway in Makaha.

Police said a 32-year-old Wai'anae man was driving a brown 1984 Toyota east on Farrington Highway at about 4:30 a.m. yesterday with two other men, both 26, in the car.

The 18-year-old, driving a black 2000 Dodge, came from behind in the same lane of Farrington near Kili Drive and drove into the rear of the Toyota. The Toyota veered off the road and onto the shoulder, where it hit a rock and rolled.

The Dodge slid to a stop on the south shoulder.

All three people in the Toyota were taken to The Queen's Medical Center in serious condition.

The 18-year-old driver was arrested on suspicion of negligent injury. Charges were pending yesterday.

Police said they suspect speed and alcohol were factors.

Wai'anae fires suspicious

Firefighters worked into the night yesterday, battling three Leeward brush fires.

The origins of the Wai'anae fires are suspicious, said HFD Capt. Kenison Tejada.

He said the largest of the fires, between Pa'akea Road and Maliona Street, came dangerously close to an egg farm and nearby house.

Firefighters were called to the scene shortly before 7 p.m. While some of the firefighters worked on the fire from different angles, others protected the farm and home.

The blaze, which burned 25 acres, came within 50 feet of the farm. About 35 to 40 firefighters were able to bring it under control by about 9:30 p.m..

About an hour later, firefighters were called to another fire on Kula'aupuni Street, less than a mile from the first fire.

About 10 acres burned, and federal firefighters worked with Honolulu firefighters to bring it under control.

The third fire, called in shortly before 8 p.m., was a smaller blaze near Pa'akea Road and Ma'ili'ili Road. A couple of fire companies were able to extinguish it, Tejada said.

STATEWIDE

OHA to hold discussions

A series of community meetings on Native Hawaiian governance begins Tuesday at the Kawananakoa Middle School cafeteria.

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs is sponsoring the series to generate discussion on how governance by a Hawaiian sovereign entity will affect Hawaiians and non-Hawaiians.

Educational materials will be distributed at the meetings, which begin at 6:30 p.m. Here is the rest of the schedule:

• Thursday, Kapolei Middle School.

• Aug. 5, Blanche Pope Elementary School.

• Aug. 6, Waialua Courthouse.

• Aug. 12, Konawaena High School, Kona.

• Aug. 13, Hilo High School.