Brush fire closes Big Island road

A brush fire forced the closure of a coastal road in the northwest section of the Big Island and the re-routing of traffic to the Kohala Mountain Road.

Authorities closed the Akoni Pule Highway between the 7 and 22 mile-marker yesterday afternoon.

Civil Defense official Barry Periatt said the fire was partially contained.

As of early yesterday evening, Periatt said the fire, first reported at 2 p.m., had burned about 30 acres.

Man arrested in sexual-assault case

Police yesterday arrested a 21-year-old man who allegedly sexually assaulted a 24-year-old woman in Kalihi two months ago.

The man, who was unknown to the woman, allegedly sexually assaulted and robbed the woman of her belongings in January, police said.

After a police investigation and a positive identification, the man was arrested on suspicion of two counts of first-degree sexual assault, attempted first-degree sexual assault, and three counts of third-degree sexual assault.

Owner of Hawaiian bracelet sought

The Hawaii County Police Department is asking for the public's help in identifying the owner of a Hawaiian bracelet recovered during a police investigation in the South Kohala District.

Police ask anyone with information about the identity of the owner to call officer Donnie Millet at 887-3080 or the Police Department's nonemergency line at 935-3311