Newswatch
Darleen "Kamaka" Martin died when she was hit in the head by a five-pound rock, thrown from a passing car. The rock crashed through her windshield. Police say 15 other cases of rock-throwing on the highway were reported that night.
Crystal Ah Yo, manager of the Verna's Ii Cafe on the Volcano Highway in Mountain View, says what's happening is scary.
At Cafe 100 in Hilo, Martin was remembered as a friend as well as an employee. Her boss, Gail Tsunehiro, says her death was senseless.
Seamus McManus, general manager of the former Kahala Hilton, told neighborhood residents that when temporary city approval for the site expires at month's end, he won't seek an extension. If an alternative site isn't found in the next couple of weeks, employees can begin parking in the hotel's garage, he said. The hotel employees pay $25 a month for company-provided parking.
But when business is brisk and guests' vehicles load up the lot, employees will be on their own, McManus said. That means some may park on residential streets.
City land use chief Patrick Onishi said the hotel has 29 more on-site parking stalls than the minimum required by law.
Residents of the neighborhood complain that the off-site employee parking has resulted in increased noise, dust and commotion.
But a federal jury decided that Peng, an employee for Friendly Teaching & Testing Service, was only helping people cheat their way to becoming American citizens.
It took jurors just one hour Thursday to convict the 27-year-old Chinese immigrant of conspiring to defraud the Immigration and Naturalization Service.
Stephen Pingree, Peng's attorney, said Peng changed answers, but didn't participate in a conspiracy. "She knew it was wrong, but she was trying to be helpful," he said. "She also didn't know it was illegal."
Pingree, who said his client came to America to seek a better life, said he didn't know if he would appeal. Peng will be sentenced Sept. 16 and faces five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
By Star-Bulletin staff
The driver is suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol.
The victim was hit where the highway passes the edge of Keaau town, 8 1/2 miles south of Hilo.
The victim was described as 6 feet tall, weighing about 200 pounds. His identity was not immediately established.
An autopsy will be done. A negligent homicide investigation is being conducted.
The death was the 11th on Big Island roads this year, compared with five at the same time last year.
The blaze, reported just before 11:30 p.m. at 95-160 Waimakua Drive, was extinguished within a half-hour, fire officials said.
Damage was estimated at $180,000 to the structure and $40,000 to contents.