Firefighters rescue lost hikers in Maunawili

Firefighters rescued eight hikers who were lost on Maunawili Falls trail.

The hikers,—five women and three men visiting from the mainland—lost their way and called for help as it grew dark at about 7:30 p.m., said Honolulu Fire Capt. Terry Seelig.

Firefighters hiked in and reached the group about half a mile from one of several trailheads. They led the group out at about 8:45 p.m. No one was hurt, Seelig said.

Wheelchair-bound woman victim of hit-and-run

A 55-year-old Mililani woman in a wheelchair was struck by a vehicle about 10:20 p.m. Friday in a crosswalk on Bishop Street, near Beretania Street, police said.

The vehicle fled the scene and the pedestrian was taken to the Queen's Medical Center in serious condition with leg and other injuries. Her condition later was upgraded to fair, police said.

The case is under investigation.

Police destroy 5,500 pot plants

HILO » Big Island police report that a marijuana eradication effort this month led to the destruction of 5,500 plants ranging from seedlings to 8 feet tall.

Lt. Richard Sherlock said the “;Counter Cannabis”; missions were conducted using the Big Island's $159,000 portion of a statewide federal grant provided for the fiscal year that ended June 30.

He called it “;leftover money”; secured before passage last November of a ballot initiative directing the Hawaii County Council to decline state and federal money for marijuana eradication.

Federal and state officials participated in the missions conducted in Puna and West Hawaii.

In accordance with the new law, no plots of 24 or fewer plants on private property were eradicated, police said. Lt. Miles Chong said two patches of fewer than 24 plants were pulled up on public land in West Hawaii. No arrests were made.

Pedestrian killed by car in Kona

A 56-year-old Kona man died after he was hit by a car while walking along Route 190 in North Kona, Big Island police said.

About 3:45 p.m. Friday, the man was heading north on the mauka shoulder near Kalaoa Road when a Honda sedan traveling in the same direction drifted onto the shoulder and hit him from behind, police said.

The victim was taken to the Kona Community Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 6 p.m. The driver of the vehicle, a 58-year-old Kailua Kona man, was not injured.

The victim's name has not yet been released.

The traffic fatality was the 14th on the Big Island this year ,compared with 16 at this time last year.

Firefighters battle Molokai brush fire

Firefighters battled a 2500 acre brush fire that injured a firefighter on Molokai.

The fire started about 12:50 p.m. yesterday above Kaunakakai and burned in the mauka direction, said Mahina Martin, Maui County spokeswoman.

A firefighter was treated for smoke inhalation and was in stable condition at Molokai General Hospital.

Three helicopters conducted water drops, while dozens of county and state firefighters fought the fire. Goodfellow Brothers Inc. helped build fire breaks. No homes were threatened. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Man threatens ex-wife and her spouse

Police arrested a 25-year-old man who allegedly threatened his ex-wife and her husband.

About 8:30 a.m. yesterday, the man threatened the 25-year-old woman after she gave him a document about the custody of their child, police said.

Then he went to his car, pulled out a knife, and threatened her 27-year-old husband, police said.

The suspect was arrested on suspicion of first- and second-degree terroristic threatening and an outstanding warrant.

Man allegedly kidnaps woman in car

Police arrested a 45-year-old Waimanalo man who allegedly kidnapped a 28-year-old woman in her car at a downtown intersection.

On Tuesday, the man approached the woman who was in her car at Liliha and Kukui streets and demanded a ride, police said.

When the woman refused, he threatened to kill her, then got into her car and forced her to drive, police said.

At Maunakea and Pauahi streets, patrol officers approached an idling vehicle and saw the suspect punching the female driver, police said.

Officers arrested the man on suspicion of first-degree unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle, kidnapping and first-degree terroristic threatening.

Chemical reaction starts shipyard fire

A chemical reaction caused a fire at a shipyard on the Big Island, officials said.

About 7:20 a.m. Friday, firefighters responded to the fire at Kawaihae Harbor on Young Brothers property, finding two pallets of pool and spa supplies in flames.

Firefighters extinguished the fire and diverted runoff from entering the storm drain. Investigators determined oxidizer had leaked onto packaging materials, starting the fire. Damage was estimated at $5,000.