KAILUA, KONA, Hawai'i — A 59-year-old Big Island man was charged with attempted murder for allegedly trying to strangle his wife with a belt.

John Reece was arrested Wednesday night after police responded to a report of an argument at a Haoa Street residence in Kailua, Kona. Reece reportedly wrapped a belt around the 50-year-old woman's neck before neighbors heard her screams and came to her assistance, police said.

Reece was charged Thursday with second-degree attempted murder, first-degree terroristic threatening and felony abuse of a family/household member. His bail was set at $22,000.

DIAMOND HEAD ROAD CLOSED

Police said Diamond Head Road was expected to be closed in both directions overnight following a rockslide yesterday.

The rockslide happened about 5 p.m. near the middle lookout, a police dispatcher said.

Late last night, crews were at the scene clearing rocks off the roadway.

A state geologist had also been sent to the area to determine whether more rocks are in danger of falling.

SOLDIER'S CHILDREN NOW IN FOSTER CARE

A 20-year-old Army man arrested in the attempted-murder case of a 5-month-old Wahiawa girl has been released pending further investigation.

The man was arrested at 6 p.m. Wednesday.

The girl, who suffered critical injuries Dec. 8, remains at Tripler Army Medical Center.

Police said the man knows the victim.

Meanwhile, officials also said today that the man's two children have been placed in foster care. The man has two children under 5, a state Department of Human Services spokeswoman said. They were taken into protective custody Dec. 9.

LAST AID CENTERS TO OPEN TODAY

The last two disaster assistance and recovery centers set up to help residents whose homes sustained damage in last week's heavy rains will open today at Kualoa Ranch and in La'ie.

The centers tomorrow will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Kualoa Ranch, 49-560 Kamehameha Highway, and Brigham Young University Hawai'i in La'ie.