Newswatch
Star-Bulletin staff and wire
Banana flow lava blocked temporarily
HILO >> Lava from what is called the Banana flow has stopped reaching the sea at least temporarily, the Hawaii Volcano Observatory reported yesterday.Don Swanson, observatory spokesman, said it appears a tube has become blocked because lava continues to pour out onto the land in several places.
"It's just sort of oozing out," Swanson said. "You can see it from the Pali, but to get a good look you have to walk in to the flow. You can get right up to it, but the trail is a bit rugged."
The Banana flow began in April and reached the ocean on May 31.
Lieberman to visit with Kaneohe Marines
U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman, the Connecticut Democrat who ran for vice president four years ago, was to visit Kaneohe Bay today and lunch with Marines there at the base.He also was expected to address a formation of Marines after lunch on the helicopter flight line.
A Kaneohe spokeswoman said Lieberman's brief stop at the Marine base was part of his visit to the Pacific Command at Camp Smith.
Transportation official to give keynote speech
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Mineta will be keynote speaker next week at the national convention of a Japanese civil rights group in Honolulu.The Japanese-American Citizens League will hold its 75th anniversary convention Tuesday through Aug. 14 at the Waikiki Beach Marriott Hotel.
In addition to delivering the keynote speech at the Sayonara Banquet at the Hawai'i Convention Center on Aug. 14, Mineta also will participate with Ryozo Kato, Japan's ambassador to the United States, in a workshop on Thursday. The workshop will mark the 150th anniversary of U.S.-Japanese relations.
U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye will be keynote speaker at a special luncheon honoring World War II veterans next Friday. A bon dance is scheduled that night at Kapiolani Park.
Minnesota state Sen. Mee Moua, the first Hmong American elected to a state legislature, will speak at a tribute to Asian and Pacific Islander Americans on Thursday at the Hale Koa Hotel.
By Star-Bulletin staff
LEEWARD OAHU
Police catch Waianae man who eluded search
Police arrested a 22-year-old man yesterday who was wanted for three felony warrants and evaded rescuers when he was reported missing July 25.Ronald Tripp, of Waianae, went pig hunting in the Whitmore Village area with friends on July 24. When he did not return, his friends notified police the next day. Rescuers from several agencies, including an aerial search by the Honolulu Fire Department, looked for Tripp on July 25.
Tripp later contacted his family and told them he was alive, police said.
Police said they later learned that Tripp saw the search and evaded rescuers because of his $35,000 fine in outstanding warrants.
Waianae police officers located and arrested Tripp at 10:55 a.m. yesterday on Ala Hema Street, police said.
Tripp was wanted for a grand jury indictment for assault on Sept. 4, contempt of court on May 31, 2002, and probation revocation for a previous drug conviction on Aug. 8, 2003.
Swimmer, 19, drowns east of Yokohama Bay
Police said a 19-year-old man apparently drowned Wednesday evening while swimming just east of Yokohama Bay.The Medical Examiner's Office identified the victim as Maui Temoananui V, from Ewa Beach.
Temoananui was swimming with a group of friends about a tenth of a mile east of Yokohama Bay at about 7:40 p.m. Wednesday, police said. He was taken to the Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center where he was pronounced dead.
CENTRAL OAHU
Alleged proposition of child leads to arrest
A 42-year-old Mililani man was arrested yesterday for suspicion of first-degree electronic enticement of a child.A special agent for the state Department of the Attorney General posing as a juvenile female was contacted by the Mililani man via the Internet, according to police.
The man allegedly asked the "child" to have sex with him and to meet him at the Burger King on Beretania Street, where police arrested him at 8:10 a.m.
BIG ISLAND
Fire causes $300,000 damage to home
Firefighters responded to a one-story house fire Wednesday morning at 81-1065 Captain Cook Road.The alarm was sounded at 11:14 a.m., and the fire was extinguished by 11:30 a.m. with the help of 12 firefighters and a helicopter.
Flames and smoke could be seen coming from the rear of the house. The blaze was contained to the back bedroom. The fire was started by a cigarette that was left burning on the mattress in the bedroom, officials said.
No one was home when fire crews arrived. Damage is estimated at $300,000.
Unconscious diver found 4 days ago dies
A 28-year-old man died Wednesday after he was found unconscious in Kiholo Bay four days ago.Bradford Ordell, of Kona, was free diving at about 10:30 a.m. Sunday when he failed to surface, police said. A diving companion found Ordell unconscious underwater and took him to shore.
Ordell was taken to the North Hawaii Community Hospital in Waimea, where he was admitted to the critical care unit and was pronounced dead Wednesday. Police will conduct an autopsy to determine if he died from drowning.
Police look for driver who left crash scene
Big Island police said they are looking for the driver of a Nissan pickup truck who caused another truck to overturn Wednesday night, injuring the driver.Two vehicles were racing on Kanoelehua Avenue when one of the vehicles rear-ended a silver 2003 Toyota Tacoma truck, causing it to lift and overturn, police said. The call was received at 11:16 p.m.
The female driver of the Tacoma was taken to Hilo Medical Center with minor injuries.
Witnesses said a red or dark-colored Nissan pickup truck with front-end damage was responsible for the crash.
Anyone with information about the crash can call Officer Robert Pule of South Hilo Patrol at 961-2213 or the police non-emergency number at 935-3311. Those who wish to remain anonymous may call CrimeStoppers at 961-2300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona.
Honolulu Police Department Crimestoppers