Newswatch
Police, Fire, Courts
Star-Bulletin staff and wire
BELLE OF THE BON DANCE
The first bon dance of the season was held Saturday at the Hawaii Plantation Village in Waipahu. Krislyn Miyagawa, 6, waved her fans to the rhythm of the music.
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffNEIGHBOR ISLANDS
A 41-year-old Kihei woman was killed yesterday when the Chevrolet Astro van she was driving crossed the center line on Honoapiilani Highway near McGregor Point and collided head-on with a 1999 Ford van.
Maui woman dies in collision of vansPolice identified the woman as Norma Bentosino.
The accident occurred at about 1:20 p.m. Police did not say last night whether Bentosino's passenger, the 56-year-old driver of the other van or his 11 passengers were injured in the crash.
Maui police are still investigating whether alcohol or speed were factors in the crash.
Bentosino was not wearing her seat belt when the accident occurred. The death is the seventh traffic fatality of the year for Maui County, and the first for June.
Asphalt plant smoke closes Big Isle road
Police shut down Route 190 on the Big Island yesterday after a plume of smoke from an asphalt plant covered part of the highway.Police said Saddle Road and Route 190 between Waimea and the Waikoloa Junction was closed at 7:15 a.m. yesterday after a malfunction at the asphalt plant.
Acting Assistant Fire Chief Reuben Chun said one of the units used to keep hot mix ready for use overheated and created a lot of smoke.
Chun said the plant's manager turned off the fuel flow, helping to lower the temperature of the unit.
A hazardous materials unit responded due to the noxious fumes.
Police said the highway was reopened at 9 a.m. after the smoke dissipated.
WINDWARD OAHU
A portion of Kamehameha Highway was expected to be contraflowed through the night as crews worked to restore a downed pole.
Car knocks down pole on Windward highwayA car hit the pole near 47-866 Kamehameha Highway at about 5:24 p.m., toppling it over the road. The occupants of the vehicle were in stable condition, police said.
The pole is jointly owned by Verizon Hawaii and Hawaiian Electric Co. A HECO spokesman said one customer was out last night. No Verizon service was affected by the incident.
HONOLULU
A man was found dead Friday near a church in Red Hill.
Man found dead near church in Red HillPolice said he was found in an open field near the First Assembly of God church at 3400 Moanalua Road about 1:30 p.m. Friday. Police said the area where the man was found is known to be frequented by homeless people.
An autopsy is expected to be performed today. The cause of death and the man's identity have not been released.
Honolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
