Posted on: Monday, February 28, 2005
HAWAI'I BRIEFS
Body found off Kahe Beach Park
Advertiser Staff
Fire rescue personnel yesterday recovered the body of a man believed to be a missing diver off Kahe Beach Park.
The HFD helicopter spotted the body at 4 p.m. floating about two miles offshore, Fire Department spokesman Capt. Emmit Kane said. A rescue boat recovered the body and took it to Ko Olina, where emergency medical personnel pronounced him dead, Kane said.
The man was wearing diving gear consistent with the description of a tourist in his mid-40s from the Midwest who went diving at noon with his family yesterday off Kahe Beach Park, Kane said. His family reported him missing at 1:15 p.m.
City Ocean Safety personnel and the Coast Guard participated in the search, Kane said.
KAILUA, KONA, Hawai'i — One of Hawai'i's most accomplished wheelchair athletes was killed Friday in a collision with a vehicle on Queen Ka'ahumanu Highway.
Randy L. Caddell, 37, of Kailua, Kona, was struck about 4:30 p.m. as he was traveling on his racing wheelchair/bicycle north along the road through town, according to police on the Big Island.
A 37-year-old Kailua, Kona, woman driving a 2003 Mazda was attempting to turn left from the highway onto Malulani Street when her vehicle struck Caddell's cycle, police reported.
Caddell was taken to Kona Community Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 7:08 p.m., police said.
Caddell, who lost the use of his legs in a 1987 motorcycle accident, was a seven-time finisher of the Ironman Triathlon World Championship in Kailua-Kona. He won the handcycle division in 2001 and 2002.
Most recently, he was the top Hawai'i finisher in the wheelchair division of the Honolulu Marathon in December.
Nicknamed "The Animal," he competed in triathlons and marathons around the world, and also spoke to youth groups about overcoming challenges and making good decisions regarding alcohol.
Speed and alcohol were not considered factors in the accident, but police opened a standard negligent homicide investigation. An autopsy was ordered to determine the cause of death.
A woman who once worked for Hawai'i bounty hunter Duane "Dog" Chapman has skipped bail.
A $100,000 bench warrant was issued for Vaisaili Suka when she failed to appear at a Circuit Court hearing on Feb. 11. She was indicted last March for first-degree criminal property damage after allegedly setting fire to the Waimanalo home she was renting.
Suka worked part-time for Chapman's Da Kine Bail Bonds from 2001 to 2003, but her bail was handled by another bail bonds firm.
Charles Fisher, general manager of AAA Local Bail Bonds, said his company forfeited $20,000 when Suka failed to show up in court.
The Aloha Chapter of the National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution has presented the Family Library of Mayor Wright Homes with 58 books as well as puzzles and pencils. Also donated was a $482 check.
The money was raised through T-shirt sales by the chapter. Instead of exchanging gifts during the holidays, members chose to donate books.
Wheelchair athlete killed
Ex-bail bonds worker skips bail
Daughters group donates 58 books
