NEIGHBOR ISLES

Fire destroys home on Kauai

Fire destroyed a three-bedroom home yesterday in Wailua, Kauai, a Kauai County spokeswoman said.

The fire at 396 Pua Road was reported at 10:10 a.m. Two occupants of the home were taken to Wilcox Hospital, where they were treated for smoke inhalation, according to a news release.

Damage is estimated at $400,000 to the home and its contents. Damage included a car and truck in the carport.

It took firefighters until 10:55 a.m. to bring the fire under control and the blaze was reported fully extinguished at 2 p.m. County heavy equipment was also brought in to help sift debris.

Police blocked off portions of Kula, Pua and Haleiilio roads because live utility wires were touching the ground. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Police say man died of drowning

Big Island police have determined that the man found dead last week at Kuhio Wharf died of asphyxiation due to saltwater drowning.

The body was found Tuesday floating at the wharf in Hilo. He was found wearing faded denim trousers and a reddish mesh football jersey with the name “;Douglas”; printed on the back.

The body remains unidentified. The case is currently classified as an unattended death. Anyone with information is asked to call Big Island police at (808) 935-3311.

LEEWARD OAHU

Visitor dies after snorkeling

A visitor from Nevada died after a snorkeling excursion off Makaha yesterday.

Lifeguards received a call for help at about 10:39 a.m., said Emergency Medical Services spokesman Bryan Cheplic.

A snorkeling tour boat brought the man to shore and lifeguards performed CPR until ambulance crews arrived and took the 63-year-old victim to Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center. The man, identified as Franklin Hamilton of Reno, Nev., was pronounced dead at 11:15 a.m., according to the Medical Examiners Office. An autopsy is scheduled for today.

HONOLULU

Speed a factor in Likelike crash

Excessive speed was a factor in a crash on Likelike Highway that left one man in critical condition and closed the town-bound lanes for several hours Saturday night, police said.

A traffic investigator said a black 1986 pickup truck traveling toward Honolulu at a high rate of speed veered off the road, hit an embankment and light post, and overturned on the roadway about 5:31 p.m.

The driver, a 43-year-old Kalihi Valley man, was taken to the hospital in critical condition. His passenger, a 19-year-old Kalihi Valley man, was reported in fair condition.

Sprinklers curb office fire damage

A sprinkler system is credited with minimizing damage from a fire at a two-story office and warehouse building at Sand Island.

Fire Capt. Earle Kealoha said the two-alarm fire broke out in an upstairs office at 308 Kilua Place about 12:17 p.m. yesterday. The fire was reported under control in about 15 minutes.

Kealoha said the cause is still under investigation and a damage estimate was not available last night.

Witnesses sought in man's death

Police are looking for witnesses who saw a man in Maili on the last day of his life.

Henry L. Mara, 47, died Sept. 19 while in police custody after being arrested for alleged trespassing. An autopsy was performed, but the cause of death has not been made public.

Mara was in Maili between 5:30 and 7 a.m. that Friday and police said he might have been in Kapolei later.

Mara was Hawaiian-Portuguese, 5 feet 4 inches tall, 130 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. Anyone with information about Mara is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 955-8300 or *CRIME on a cell phone.