NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

Man held in death of Pahoa resident

Big Island police have charged a 35-year-old Pahoa man with manslaughter in connection with the death of 47-year-old Daniel Martina, also of Pahoa.

Police located Robert Grant on Saturday in the Nanawale Estates subdivision of Puna with the help of the public after a CrimeStoppers bulletin was issued Friday.

Police said Grant allegedly assaulted Martina on Nov. 1 near the Pahoa Fire Station. Martina died Friday at the Queen's Medical Center, where he was transported in critical condition.

Grant is being held in lieu of $50,000 bail.

Police also arrested and charged Rory Libarios, 47, of Nanawale for hindering prosecution after allegedly hiding Grant in his home.

An autopsy performed yesterday revealed Martina died of severe trauma to the back of the head, which included a severe skull fracture, police said. The Honolulu Medical Examiner's Office ruled the death a homicide.

After conferring with prosecutors, police charged Grant with manslaughter.

NORTH SHORE

Accident lands farmer in hospital

A man in his 50s was critically injured yesterday on the North Shore in a farm accident and taken to a hospital, said Bryan Cheplic, spokesman for the city Emergency Services Department.

Police said the farm owner was operating an auger to dig fence post holes when his hand got caught in the auger.

The accident, which was initially reported as an overturned tractor, occurred well off the highway on a farm across from Turtle Bay Resort, 57-091 Kamehameha Highway.

Emergency Medical Services received the call at 4:32 p.m. yesterday.

WAIKIKI

2 women arrested in murder attempts

Two women, ages 20 and 32, who were arguing over a mutual boyfriend allegedly tried to kill each other in Waikiki yesterday afternoon.

Police said the two began arguing on a Waikiki street at 4:52 p.m. yesterday when the 20-year-old allegedly tried to run over the older woman with her car.

The 32-year-old then allegedly punctured the other woman's car with a knife.

The younger woman then got out of her car to confront the older woman, who then allegedly tried to stab her with the knife, police said.

When police officers arrived, they arrested both of them on suspicion of second-degree attempted murder. The 20-year-old also was arrested for suspicion of reckless endangering of a 2-year-old child, found in the back seat of her car at Kuhio and Nahua avenues, as well as a drug offense for allegedly possessing marijuana found in the car.

EAST OAHU

Suspect surrenders in sex assault case

A 43-year-old Hawaii Kai man who allegedly sexually assaulted a 13-year-old girl surrendered to police yesterday and was charged with four counts of sexual assault.

Authorities charged Ward Kiyo Gusukuma on two counts of first-degree sexual assault, one count of attempted first-degree sexual assault and third-degree sexual assault.

Police said the man allegedly sexually assaulted the girl Oct. 7 and 8. The girl told police she had met him that day, police said.