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A TRUCKER'S TRIBUTE

COURTESY OF BARRY MARKOWITZ At the intersection of Hauula Homestead and Kukuna roads, Hauula residents were stunned when approximately 100 big-rig truck drivers paid their respects with a horn-blaring, parade-like tribute to Hauula Homestead resident Sterling Naki, who died in his truck earlier this month near Castle Junction, Kaneohe.

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Police, Fire, Courts



By Star-Bulletin staff

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
Collision victim is identified as Naalehu woman, 23

Big Island police identified the 23-year-old driver who died after a two-vehicle collision in South Kona Friday as Sunny Kalua of Naalehu.

Kalua was traveling south on Route 11 about 9:18 p.m. when her 2000 Honda sport utility vehicle collided with a 2003 Toyota pickup truck driven by a 19-year-old Erik Perez of Hoopuloa.

Perez was traveling north when the collision occurred near the 87-mile marker, said police.

Kalua was taken to the Kona Community Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

Perez and Kalua's passenger, 22-year-old Rosaline Rivera of Naalehu, were also taken to the same hospital in serious condition.

An autopsy will be performed on Kalua to determine cause of death. Police, meanwhile, opened a negligent homicide case.

Anyone with information on the collision may call Officer Eric Cerezo of the Traffic Enforcement Unit at 961-2332.

This is the 28th traffic-related fatality on the Big Island compared with 18 at the same time last year.

2 swim ashore after their boat catches fire

Two people swam more than a mile into shore yesterday after their 26-foot recreational boat caught fire off the Big Island, Hawaii County firefighters said.

The boat caught fire yesterday morning off the Big Island's Holana Bay. Fire crews were called to the scene at 10:51 a.m.

The boat's occupants were uninjured, Fire Capt. Ralph Yawata said. They were aided to shore by bystanders with boogie boards.

A fire helicopter used a water bucket to extinguish the fire. But before the blaze was out, the boat sank.

The cause of the fire is unknown, but the owner of the boat told officials it could have been caused by engine problems.

HONOLULU
Victim of H-1 accident ID'd as Honolulu man

The medical examiner identified a 20-year-old man who died after a speeding-related collision as Andrew Hansen of Honolulu.

Police said Hansen was driving a black Acura on Aug. 15 when he attempted to overtake a silver Acura. The black car collided into the other Acura before it veered into an H-1 freeway barrier.

Hansen was taken to the Queen's Medical Center, where he died Friday. An autopsy will be performed to determine cause of death.

Police arrest suspect in armed robbery case

A 38-year-old Kalihi man was arrested Saturday for allegedly robbing a woman at gunpoint.

A 59-year-old woman reported to police that she was robbed by the suspect at 8 p.m. on Tuesday at 835 Keeaumoku St.

Officers from the Criminal Reduction Unit found out the suspect was staying at the Honolulu Airport Hotel on Nimitz Highway, and arrested the 38-year-old man and found a firearm in his hotel room.

The suspect has a criminal record of more than 40 prior arrests.

Police are looking for a man who allegedly kidnapped and robbed another man in Kalihi during the weekend.

Police said the victim, 34, was walking home about 10:30 p.m. Saturday when a man in a gray car approached him on Puuhale Road near Democrat Street.

The suspect threatened the victim and ordered him to get into the car. Police said the suspect drove the victim around the Kalihi area and ordered him to give him his money and wallet.

The suspect later dropped off the victim in Mapunapuna. A description of the suspect was not available.

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Honolulu Police Department Crimestoppers