Hawai'i briefs

Advertiser Staff

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

Moloka'i fire contained

A brush fire that threatened homes in Maunaloa and forced the temporary evacuation of Moloka'i Ranch campsites was contained yesterday.

Maui County firefighters reported no loss of property from the blaze that started Saturday afternoon. Area residents returned to their homes Saturday night.

The fire began in an area that had begun burning Thursday and was thought to be contained.

Assistant Fire Chief Greg Chong Kee said fire crews were mopping up in that area when wind of up to 30 mph began whipping up the smoldering flames.

The fire was the most serious of a series of brushfires that began Wednesday afternoon in a remote section of Mo'omomi Avenue at Ho'olehua. Fire officials would not speculate on the cause of the fires.

O'AHU'S NORTH SHORE

Tourist rescued at Sunset Beach

A 69-year-old Korean tourist who nearly drowned yesterday afternoon in shallow water off the coast of Sunset Beach is in serious condition.

At about 3 p.m., lifeguards spotted the man floating facedown about 50 yards to the right of the lifeguard station. About five lifeguards responded, along with fire and ambulance crews, lifeguards said.

Rescuers resuscitated the victim.

He was taken to Wahiawa General Hospital and later was transferred to The Queen's Medical Center.

CENTRAL O'AHU

Mililani bank robber sought

Police are searching for a man who robbed a Mililani bank Thursday while carrying a gun and wearing a Halloween mask.

The robber, who had a hood over his head, entered the Mililani branch of American Savings Bank at about 2:20 p.m. holding the gun, said Honolulu police detective Brian Johnson.

The man demanded cash from a teller and fled, he said. Johnson said 10 to 12 people, including employees, were in the bank when it was robbed.

It was O'ahu's 17th bank robbery of the year and the ninth time an American Savings branch has been held up.

HONOLULU

Man accused of hammering car

Police have arrested a 33-year-old man accused of tailgating a police officer's car on Friday and hitting it with a hammer.

The man was traveling on Pali Highway at around 6:30 p.m. when he began tailgating a car driven by a HPD detective, police said.

The man pulled alongside the detective's car and began to smash the side of the car with a hammer, police said.

Both men pulled their cars off the road, but the man fled when he realized he was involved in a dispute with an officer.

He was later arrested.