Big Island police are asking for the public's help in finding a man reported missing after apparently going kayaking off South Kohala.

Sgt. Kenneth Quiocho said Monday that a green kayak was found floating capsized in waters off the South Kohala coast on Nov. 27.

He said police discovered identification for Jason Winbush, also known as Jason Wilcox, Ken Washington, Ken Wilcox, "WJ" and "JW."

According to police, Winbush is known to frequent the Waipi'o Valley area of the Big Island, as well as Maui.

He is described as 6-feet-2 and 160 pounds, with brown eyes and brown hair worn in dreadlocks. He has a beard and mustache and a tattoo on his forehead.

A motorcyclist died early yesterday in Kailua after he crashed into a telephone pole and hit a concrete wall.

The incident happened a little past midnight near Oneawa and Manono streets. Police said the man, a Marine from Marine Corps Base Hawaii, was traveling north on Oneawa when he lost control of a 2008 Suzuki GSX-R 1000 motorcycle.

Police said speeding may have been a factor. The man, 24, was wearing a helmet and there were no other vehicles involved.

City emergency services spokesman Bryan Cheplic said paramedics pronounced the man dead at 12:34 a.m.

The federal government is offering up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for killing a Hawaiian monk seal in April on Kaua'i.

The 5-year-old male was found shot to death on a beach near Kaumakani.

The reward was announced yesterday by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Office of Law Enforcement.

Special Agent William Pickering says the killing is a violation of federal law, as well as a crime against residents of Hawai'i.

Hawaiian monk seals are protected under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. Their population is estimated at 1,200.

It is illegal to harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture or collect any species or wildlife on the endangered species list.

The Molokai Metals Recycling Facility at the Moloka'i Landfill has reached its permitted storage capacity and will be closed temporarily beginning Friday, Maui County announced yesterday.

The site was designed to be an interim facility. A permanent site is being built and is expected to open in late spring 2010.

The metal recycling facility has been accepting vehicles, appliances, scrap metal, tires, propane tanks and car batteries. During the temporary closure, no materials will be accepted in accordance with state Department of Health permit requirements.

For more information, contact the county Solid Waste Division at 270-7875. Callers on Moloka'i may dial 1-800-272-0117 and request ext. 7875.

One of Myanmar's best-known monks will give a free public Dhamma talk on "Compassion and Buddhism" today from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Roosevelt High School auditorium.

It is his first visit to Hawai'i.

The Venerable Ashin Nyanissara, better known as Sitagu Sayadaw, is abbot of Sitagu Monastery of Myanmar (Burma). He has sponsored humanitarian visits to Myanmar by the Hawai'i-based Aloha Medical Mission for three years. He also raised money for relief efforts and set up emergency relief centers and clinics in the worst-hit villages in Myanmar's Irrawaddy delta, which was devastated by Cyclone Nargis in May 2008.

Myanmar Association of Hawai'i and Island Insurance are hosting the event. Other sponsors are Lao Buddhist Association of Hawai'i, Pacific Gateway Center and Nora Sisounthone.

RSVP to Dr. Tin Myaing Thein at 851-7010 or e-mail myaing@msn.com.

SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES PLAN IS FOCUS OF MEETING

The city is hosting a community informational meeting about the North Shore Sustainable Communities Plan on Monday.

The meeting will take place from 7 to 8 p.m. at the John Kalili Surf Center in Hale'iwa Ali'i Beach Park, 66-167 Hale'iwa Road.

The plan sets standards for future development in the community. Officials at the meeting will discuss major changes to the plan and information about participating in the public review process.