The state Department of Health says a new case of salmonella poisoning has been confirmed on O'ahu, bringing to 34 the number of such infections since October.

The latest case involves someone who reported eating ahi poke bought at a local market, the department said in a news release yesterday.

A federal Food and Drug Administration investigation is underway to trace the source of the salmonella contamination, DOH said.

Previous investigations have identified raw imported frozen ahi used in ahi poke as a source of illness in the other cases since October. Additional cases of fish-related illnesses have been reported in Colorado and California.

"The Department of Health is concerned about these continuing cases, and with the help of the FDA we hope to identify the source so we can prevent any further illness," said Dr. Paul Effler, the state epidemiologist.

Salmonella typically causes diarrhea, abdominal cramps and fever; it usually begins one to four days after exposure to the bacteria.

PUNA MAN SOUGHT IN SHOOTING CASE

Big Island police are looking for a 38-year-old Puna man wanted for questioning in connection with a shooting in Puna's Orchidland subdivision Thursday night.

Steven Kaio of Orchidland is considered "a person of interest" in the shooting, and is considered armed and dangerous, police said.

Puna patrol officers were summoned to a home on 35th Avenue about 7:30 p.m. and found a 51-year-old man who had been shot once in the head.

A fire rescue crew took the injured man to Hilo Medical Center in critical condition, and his condition was later upgraded to guarded, police said.

Police are treating the incident as an attempted murder case, and are searching for Kaio, who is related to the gunshot victim.

Kaio was last seen driving away from the home in a white 2006 Toyota Tundra with Hawai'i license plates HKE 078. He is 5 feet 7 and 250 to 300 pounds, with brown eyes and short black hair.

Police said Kaio may pose a danger to himself, and urged the public not to approach him.

Police ask anyone with information about Kaio to call Detective Rio Amon-Wilkins at 961-2386 or the Police Department's non-emergency number, 935-3311.

Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona. All Crime Stoppers calls are kept confidential.

PARK MOVING TO HOME LANDS

Kaulana Park has been tapped to be deputy director of the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands under Director Micah Kane.

Park replaces Ben Henderson, who resigned recently to become president and executive director of the Queen Lili'uokalani Trust Children's Center.

Park has been Gov. Linda Lingle's homeless solutions coordinator, and Lingle credited him with helping find shelter for many who have been homeless.

"I am confident that in his new role, Kaulana will continue to focus on improving people's lives and lifting the entire community by fulfilling our commitment to Native Hawaiians and in doing so, addressing the affordable housing shortage in our state," Lingle said in a statement.

Prior to that post, Park was executive assistant to Kane and before that, served as manager of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs' revolving loan fund.

Russ Saito, state comptroller and director of the Department of Accounting and General Services, will assume the role of homeless solutions team leader.