The boy was confronted by a former classmate while speaking to a group of friends, police said. During the argument the man, whose age police did not disclose, punched the boy in the head and demanded his gold necklace and cellular phone.

The boy handed over his belongings and the man fled, police said.

Big Island DUI arrests slightly down this year

Big Island police arrested 21 motorists for drunk driving from July 25-31. Three of the drivers were involved in traffic crashes, and one was under the age of 21, police said.

So far this year, police on the Big Island have made 600 DUI arrests, compared to 604 during the same period last year, a decrease of 1 percent. South Hilo, Puna, and Kona had the highest totals last week.

In those areas, police made 20 DUI arrests.

There has also been 1,370 major accidents in 2005, compared to 1,416 during the same period last year, a decrease of 3 percent, police said.

Other findings on the Big Island: The 19 traffic fatalities so far this year are six less than during the same period in 2004, a decrease of 24 percent, police said. There has been 12 alcohol-related fatalities so far this year, compared to seven in 2004, an increase of 71 percent. Police also said there has also been nine drug-related fatalities in 2005, compared to 11 at the same time last year, a decrease of 18 percent.