The body of a man found in waters yesterday morning near Kualoa is believed to be that of a missing diver, police said.

Someone called police between 7 and 8 a.m. to report a body floating near the 49-800 block of Kamehameha Highway.

The man was wearing a wetsuit, police said.

Coast Guard, fire and police have been searching since early Sunday morning for a 38-year-old Hawai'i Kai man who was reported swept out to sea while diving at Ka'a'awa.

TUCKER NAMED DEPUTY CHIEF

Assistant Chief Michael Tucker, a 33-year Honolulu Police Department veteran, was promoted yesterday to deputy chief.

Tucker's promotion was announced by Chief Boisse Correa. Tucker succeeds Glen Kajiyama, who retired last month.

Paul Putzulu is HPD's senior deputy chief and second in command to Correa.

Tucker will oversee the department's central and regional patrol bureaus, investigative bureau and special field operations as deputy chief.

He is a Leilehua High School graduate and holds a bachelor's degree in secondary education from the University of Hawai'i and a master's degree in criminal justice from Chaminade University.

Tucker is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Va.

KAUA'I POLICE CHIEF FINALISTS NAMED

Darryl Perry, a Kapa'a High School graduate and retired Honolulu police major, and Gerald Mines, of New York, are the finalists to become the next Kaua'i police chief.

The Kaua'i Police Commission on Monday extended a conditional offer to one of the two men, it was announced yesterday in a county news release.

The appointment hinges on the candidate meeting certain Kaua'i Police Department and county personnel requirements.

WOMAN CHARGED WITH BIG ISLE ARSON

Big Island police have charged a woman in connection with three structure fires on Thursday in Kailua, Kona. The fires started about 3 a.m. in the area of Kopiko Street in Kailua, Kona.

Structures damaged included a two-story stairwell and elevator and the side of a building, police said. Damage was estimated at more than $250,000.

Laura Pinder, 25, who has no permanent address, was charged with three counts of arson. Bail was set at $150,000.

Police ask anyone with information about the fires to call Detective David Araki of the Area II Criminal Investigations Section at 808-326-4646, ext. 238, or the police department's nonemergency number, 808-935-3311.

People who prefer to remain anonymous may call CrimeStoppers at 808-329-8181 in Kona or 808-961-8300 in Hilo. All CrimeStoppers information is kept confidential.

MAN ACCUSED OF THREATS WITH RIFLE

A preliminary hearing for a Waipahu man who allegedly threatened two people with a loaded AK-47 assault rifle Sunday is scheduled for tomorrow at District Court.

George Apineru Eliu, 23, is charged with two counts of first-degree terroristic threatening and one count of a firearm offense. He is being held in lieu of $100,000 bail.

According to an affidavit filed at District Court, Eliu allegedly went to an apartment complex at 94-207 Waipahu St. at 8:05 a.m. looking for a man and threatened two people. Eliu allegedly fired a shot into the air.

LE JARDIN GREETS NEW BUILDINGS

Le Jardin Academy in Kailua has completed the first phase of a long-range construction plan that will boost the size and offerings of the school to accommodate almost 1,000 students by 2013 and, ultimately, to 1,100 students by 2015.

Current enrollment is 750 students in pre-kindergarten through grade 12.

When the fall semester begins tomorrow, the school will hold a ceremony to bless a new library and six-classroom building.

The program is scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m. and will include performances by Le Jardin students, plus the presentation of $7 million in checks from the Harold K.L. Castle Foundation, the Charles B. Wang Foundation, and the school's trustees.

The $21.4 million campus expansion moves into its second phase this week when grading for a $9 million gymnasium is launched. Phase 2 also includes an administration building and 12 more classrooms.

WOMAN ARRESTED AGAIN FOR BREAK-IN

A 19-year-old woman arrested July 31 for allegedly breaking into an 'Aiea Heights home was arrested again yesterday in Mapunapuna on suspicion of a similar offense.

The woman, who has no permanent local address, was not charged in the July 31 case although police recovered jewelry, a laptop computer and keys to a vehicle taken from the 'Aiea Heights home as evidence.

Officers arrested the woman yesterday at 8:15 a.m. at 2628 Waiwai Loop.