The stolen van of a young muscular dystrophy patient has been found stripped and abandoned in Wai'anae, family members said yesterday.

The white van, which was recently bought to help Muscular Dystrophy Association Goodwill Ambassador Damon Kaneakua get around, is beyond repair.

"Even the dirty laundry we had inside was taken," said Damon's mother, Waylin Ashley.

Ashley said the family has had several offers of help and hopes to receive the donation of a new van sometime next week.

Damon is diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, which is characterized by general muscle weakness and wasting affecting the pelvis, upper arms and upper legs. The family recently purchased the van to help take Damon and his wheelchair to school and activities.

QUICK QUARANTINE PROGRAM EXPANDS

The state has extended its five-day-or-less express rabies quarantine program for pets to Kaua'i, Maui and the Big Island.

The program to keep Hawai'i free of rabies went into effect on O'ahu in 2003. About 83 percent of all dogs and cats arriving at Honolulu International Airport now qualify for direct release.

Dogs and cats can now enter Hawai'i through airports on Kaua'i and Maui and in Kona if their owners comply with added requirements for the quarantine program.

Until 1997, all animals entering Hawai'i had to be kept at the state quarantine facility for four months. The stay was then cut to 30 days for animals with the required shots.

SURF DOG TO VISIT WAIALUA LIBRARY

Rex Dubiel will introduce Surf Dog to children from 10 to 11 a.m. today at the Waialua Public Library.

Dubiel, a third-grade teacher at Hale'iwa Elementary School for 20 years, created the stuffed animal and took him on a cross-country train trip where he met dozens of people and reported his adventures on his Web site, www.surfdogsunsetbeach.com/.

Students were able to track his progress.

"The ultimate goal is to promote literacy, geography and kindness," Dubiel said. "Surf Dog never says anything unkind."

Dubiel said the dog fits well with the curriculum that takes students around the world in a year, studying culture, people and geography.

MAN LOSES EYE IN ROAD-RAGE ASSAULT

A 25-year-old Honoka'a man has been charged with assault and other charges following a road rage incident that caused a Big Island motorist to lose an eye, Hawai'i County police said yesterday.

Big Island police say the suspect and victim were traveling in separate cars Wednesday on Route 190 near Waimea when the two began arguing over a previous traffic confrontation.

After pulling over, the two men exchanged words and the suspect punched the 23-year-old victim, causing his sunglasses to shatter and inflicting a serious eye injury.

Police yesterday charged Alfred Berdon III with first- and second-degree assault, criminal property damage and unauthorized entry of a motor vehicle.

Berdon was being held yesterday on $14,000 bail.

Capt. Paul Kealoha appealed to the public to use restraint.

"Although minor incidents of road rage are not uncommon," he said, "this demonstrates that these incidents can escalate and lead to tragic results."

MATH PROFESSOR INTERIM UH DEAN

Mathematics professor Thomas Craven has been appointed interim dean of the University of Hawai'i-Manoa College of Natural Sciences, filling the vacancy created by the retirement of Dean Charles Hayes.

"Our natural sciences are crucial to the success of UH-Manoa as a research university, and professor Craven's experience will serve us well during this critical period of change and development," UH-Manoa Chancellor Virginia Hinshaw said.

Craven has been a professor in the mathematics department since 1973 and served as its chairman since 2003.