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Newswatch
Star-Bulletin staff and wire
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Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staff
WINDWARD OAHU
Driver dies as his truck crashes in Kailua
A 39-year-old man died early yesterday after crashing his truck in Kailua, police said.
Police traffic investigators said the victim was traveling to Kaneohe in his 1997 Chevy pickup along Maluniu Avenue near Hualani Street at about 1:10 a.m. when he veered onto the right shoulder and crashed into several trash receptacles and mail boxes.
Police said the truck continued along Maluniu and crashed into a utility pole, then into two walls, and the victim was thrown from the vehicle.
Police said speed appears to be a factor in the crash and they were investigating whether alcohol or drugs were involved. This was the 72nd traffic fatality for the year, compared with 65 for the same time last year.
Police seek suspect in Laie store burglary
Police are asking for the public's help in identifying a burglary suspect who was seen on a security video breaking the lock of the Da Kine Wireless store at the Laie Shopping Center on Nov. 14.
Police said several cell phones were taken in the burglary.
The suspect is described as a man in his mid-20s, 5-foot-7 to 5-foot-10, 180 to 200 pounds, with a either a shaved scalp or balding, and a dark complexion. He wore a brown jacket.
The suspect vehicle, also caught on videotape, was a 1980s model white or light-colored Jeep Cherokee with chrome rims and surf racks.
Anyone with information about this person is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 955-8300 or *CRIME on a cell phone.
WAIKIKI
Driver's crash was allegedly intentional
Police arrested a 31-year-old man who allegedly intentionally rammed his vehicle into another man's vehicle twice in Waikiki.
The suspect allegedly sideswiped the victim, 43, at 10:15 p.m., then rear-ended him when the victim attempted to block the suspect's vehicle from escaping.
The suspect fled the scene, but was located later in Kaimuki, where he was arrested for investigation of first-degree criminal property damage.
LEEWARD OAHU
Man allegedly pulled gun on stepmother
Police arrested a 32-year-old man after he allegedly threatened his stepmother with a gun early yesterday.
Police said the suspect had gotten into an argument with his stepsister when he pulled out a semi-automatic handgun and threatened the victim, 57, in their Hoohai Street home in Pearl City Uplands at about 1 a.m.
Police recovered a handgun and arrested the suspect for investigation of first-degree terroristic threatening.
BIG ISLAND
3 fires keep crews busy around Pahala
PAHALA, Hawaii » Three fires started under suspicious circumstances around the former sugar town of Pahala have fire officials concerned as holiday fireworks season nears.
The first, most-stubborn fire began about 2:45 a.m. Sunday in a trash heap of old cars and waste materials left over from the Kau Sugar mill south of Pahala, said Assistant Fire Chief Clesson Murasaki.
On Monday, firefighters thought they had it out, but it rekindled and by last night was still smoldering in a five-acre area, he said.
A helicopter dropped water and firefighters snaked hoses into the maze of junk to fight it, he said.
Then another fire broke out about two miles upland from Pahala at 12:42 p.m. Monday, burning 10 acres of brush before firefighters had it under control, the department said.
A third was reported at 2:40 p.m. on the north side of the town near Wood Valley. That fire burned five acres of former cane land before being controlled.
Fire danger is "moderate," but vegetation is drying and the danger from fireworks or an arsonist could increase, Murasaki said.