Newswatch
Star-Bulletin staff and wire
PALI RUNAWAY
Danny. left, who declined to give his last name. pondered what to do next yesterday, while his friend, Toeleiu Foimai, used his phone. Danny said he didn't have any brakes after the hairpin turn, and was lucky there were no other cars around. His truck ended up in the bushes and trees at the end of the runaway truck ramp on the Pali Highway near Castle Junction. Danny was transporting irrigation pipes for a golf course.
Reported Norwalk virus cases in Vegas drop
Officials at the Clark County Health District in Las Vegas reported a slight decrease in the rate of new Norwalk virus cases.Five complaints were reported between May 15 and May 21, compared to seven complaints that were reported between May 8 and May 14, said spokesman David Tonelli.
The fluctuating rate of new cases has yet to reach a sustained decline.
A total of 1,686 cases were reported between Dec. 3 and Monday. Symptoms of the Norwalk virus include vomiting and/or diarrhea that can last up to three days.
Those who reported contracting the illness visited or stayed at the California Hotel & Casino. Health officials will consider the outbreak over when they see four complaints or less each week over a one-month period.
2 groups offer reward for info on cat killings
KAILUA-KONA >> Two organizations are offering a total of $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of whoever killed three cats at Honokohau Harbor in Kona two weeks ago.Members of the Advocats group, which regularly leaves food for wild cats at the harbor, believe that the animals were killed and hung by their necks as a protest against the group feeding them.
Hawaii Island Humane Society spokeswoman Franny Kinslow said the Humane Society of the United States is offering a $2,500 reward, and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is offering an equal amount.
Anyone with information should call (808) 329-1175.
WWII bomb detonation delayed until June 3
The Army has rescheduled for June 3 the detonation of three World War II bombs -- the largest weighing 1,000 pounds -- in Makua Valley Military Reservation.The section of Farrington Highway fronting Makua Valley along Makua Beach will be closed from 6 to 8 a.m. Kuokala Trail near the Kaena Point Satellite Tracking Station also will be closed for the day as a precaution.
The three bombs are 3,300 feet into the valley from Farrington Highway, according to the group Malama Makua, which was set to monitor the detonation on May 11 when it was postponed. Besides the 1,000-pound bomb, one is 500 pounds and one 100 pounds.
The three bombs were uncovered after a July fire scorched half of the 4,190-acre military training site.
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffNEIGHBOR ISLANDS
Victim in fatal crash was Holualoa man
HOLUALOA, Hawaii >> A Big Island man killed Monday in a one-vehicle accident in Kona has been identified as Craig Zaltosky, 51, of Holualoa, North Kona, police said.Zaltosky had been driving a 1990 Nissan multipurpose vehicle on the narrow, winding Old Mamalahoa Highway just south of Holualoa, upland from Kailua-Kona, police said.
About 8 p.m., he skidded off the road and hit a guardrail, they said. He was declared dead at Kona Hospital.
Police have not determined if speed or alcohol was a factor in the accident, they said.
The death is the Big Island's 19th traffic fatality of the year compared with 12 at the same time last year.
Fisherman dies after being swept out to sea
A 28-year-old fisherman died Monday after being swept out to sea on the Big Island near the Kalapana fishing spot called Sledge Hammer.Hawaii County firefighters said sometime before 5 p.m. the victim had climbed down to the shoreline to gaff fish when he was knocked into the ocean by a wave. The victim managed to grab hold of a rope but then several more waves finally swept him out to sea, officials said.
A rescue-helicopter crew later found the victim floating face down in the ocean.
Big Isle police identify motorcycle fatality
Big Island police have identified a motorcyclist who was killed in a crash Saturday near Milolii in South Kona as Rodger Vezina, 51.Police said Vezina had been riding a 2003 Harley Davidson motorcycle south on Mamalahoa Highway (Route 11) when his motorcycle ran off the road and came to rest over an embankment at about the 93-mile marker.
HONOLULU
Police seek man indicted in killing
Police are looking for a 24-year-old man indicted by an Oahu grand jury in the beating death of a man April 19 in the Ala Moana area.John Wilfred Penitani was indicted by the grand jury May 5 for second-degree murder for fatally beating 23-year-old Mikiala Kahalewai on Kona Street near the intersection of Piikoi Street.
Police believe Penitani may have fled to either American Samoa or Concord, Calif.
Penitani is described as 6 feet 5 inches, weighing 350 pounds, with a heavy build, black bushy hair, brown eyes, a mustache and goatee. He also has a tattoo of weight scales on his right arm.
Another suspect, Ulutunu Faumuina, was charged with second-degree murder April 20.
Anyone with information may call Detective Cliff Rubio at 529-3358. Anonymous calls may be made to CrimeStoppers at 955-8300 or by dialing *CRIME on a cell phone.
Hit-and-run vehicle described by police
Honolulu police traffic investigators have more information about a suspected vehicle in a hit-and-run case earlier this month.Police said the vehicle that hit a 78-year-old woman at 12:02 p.m. last Wednesday in front of the parking lot at 1822 Lanakila Ave. was described as a black sport utility vehicle or pickup truck with a white camper shell that had oversized tires, lifted suspension, and a chrome grill. The vehicle was also described as being of a Chevrolet, Ford, or GMC make.
Police also said the vehicle had been parked in the area before the incident and believe that the driver or owner of the vehicle may live near the scene of the accident. The victim was in serious condition and has "numerous fractures" according to police.
Anyone with information is asked to call traffic investigator Kevin Espinda at 529-3499.
Escaped felon sought in assault on officer
An escaped felon was identified as the driver of the truck that dragged a police officer down Round Top Drive Friday, police said yesterday.Police identified Gordon Morse, 32, who escaped at 6:30 p.m. April 30 from Laumaka Work Furlough Program while on a resocialization pass.
Morse has six felony convictions for burglary, robbery, and auto theft.
The Round Top Drive incident was part of several incidents including a police chase, injury to police officers, car thefts, carjackings, accidents and shooting that occurred in the Makiki-Punahou area Friday afternoon.
Police and the Department of Public Safety are asking for the public's help in finding Morse, who is known to go to the Leeward Coast.Police warn that Morse is dangerous, and should not be approached.
Morse, who is also known as Scott Pakele, Kele, Kalani, and "G," is 5 feet 9 inches, 180 pounds, with a medium build, dark brown hair and brown eyes. He has multiple tattoos. They include a skeleton with a gun on his upper left forearm, a pitbull on his left chest, a tribal symbol on his right bicep, a Hawaiian tattoo on the outside of his right calf and a mythical figure and a "USO" gang symbol on his back.
Anyone seeing Morse is urged to call 911, and describe his location and the clothes he is wearing.
Anonymous calls may be made to CrimeStoppers at 955-8300, *CRIME on your cell phone.
Honolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
