Motorcycle crash kills Maui man

WAILUKU » A Lahaina man died Sunday after losing control of his motorcycle and falling on Puakea Road on Maui.

Donald Lubin, 62, crashed while traveling east on Puakea Road and trying to do a U-turn.

Lubin's death has been tentatively classified as a traffic fatality, although an autopsy is pending to determine the cause of death, police said yesterday.

Lubin was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

Crews knock down Big Island blazes

Brush fires kept firefighters busy Sunday and early yesterday on the Big Island.

One fire burned 25 to 30 acres of brush at Hokuhano Ranch, about 2.5 miles mauka of Greenwell Mountain Road in South Kona, according to a Hawaii County Fire Department news release. The fire was reported at about 8:35 a.m. at the 3,500-foot level of the ranch in an area inaccessible by vehicle.

Fire crews had the blaze contained within a firebreak cut by bulldozers by 5 p.m., according to a written statement by fire Chief Darryl Oliveira. The fire was allowed to burn itself out and was monitored by ranch personnel, Oliveira said.

The cause was under investigation.

Firefighters were out last night monitoring a brush fire along Mana Road that was 95 percent contained at 4 p.m. yesterday.

At 11:09 p.m. Sunday the fire was reported on Department of Hawaiian Home Lands property along Mana Road, 11 miles from Mauna Kea Access road in Hamakua. Crews worked through the night to control the fire with firebreaks and water drops by helicopters. It was 65 percent contained by 1 a.m. yesterday.

The burn area was described as former cattle grazing land infested with the invasive gorse plant, according to a news release. Firefighters initially found two fires, leading them to believe the cause was suspicious, the release said.

HONOLULU

Robber at large after Fastop heist

Police are asking for the public's help in identifying a man who robbed the Fastop convenience store at 2011 N. School St. Wednesday night.

Police said the man entered the store at 9:25 p.m., approached the cashier and demanded money. He indicated he had a weapon, police said.

The man left with an undisclosed amount of cash and fled in an unknown direction.

He is described as in his 20s, between 5 feet 4 inches and 5 feet 6 inches tall, weighing about 160 to 170 pounds, with black hair and wearing a blue T-shirt with a white design, blue denim pants and white sneakers.

Anyone with information about this robbery is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 955-8300 or *CRIME on a cell phone.

LEEWARD OAHU

Waianae man held in sex assault case

Police arrested a 57-year-old Waianae man who allegedly sexually assaulted a 20-year-old woman early Sunday morning in Waianae.

Police said the woman had reported the sexual assault to the police and positively identified the man in a field lineup.

The incident allegedly occurred sometime between 12:01 a.m. and 1 a.m. Sunday. The man was arrested at 9:45 p.m. Sunday on suspicion of two counts of second-degree sexual assault and one count of first-degree sexual assault.

The case is pending investigation.

Suspect threatens woman with knife

Police arrested a 43-year-old man who allegedly threatened to stab a woman with whom he shares a house in Waipahu.

Police said that at about 4:30 a.m. yesterday, the suspect and a 34-year-old woman were arguing when the suspect pulled out a knife and threatened to kill her.

The suspect fled before police arrived, but was arrested when he returned to his Kahuahele Street home last night. He was arrested on suspicion of abuse and first-degree terroristic threatening.

Purse robbery suspect arrested

Police arrested a 25-year-old man who allegedly robbed a woman of her purse while she sat at a bus stop earlier this year.

Police said that at about 11:50 p.m. on March 19, a 52-year-old woman was sitting at a bus stop in Waianae when the suspect came up from behind her. Police said the suspect punched the woman in the back of her head and took her purse.

The suspect fled in a vehicle with three other men, police said.

Police stopped the vehicle soon after, but the suspect had already fled.

Police found the suspect at his Bougainville Avenue home in Kalaeloa this week and arrested him on suspicion of second-degree robbery as well as three outstanding warrants.

CENTRAL OAHU

Alleged stabber is victim's neighbor

Authorities charged a 31-year-old Whitmore Village man yesterday with second-degree attempted murder in the stabbing of another man.

Roberto Almazan was arrested Saturday night after he allegedly stabbed a neighbor.

A 47-year-old man was seriously injured after Almazan allegedly slashed and stabbed him, police said.

Almazan's bail is set at $200,000.