Firefighters pull body from water

The Honolulu Fire Department retrieved the body of a 68-year-old woman found floating yesterday a mile from the entrance to Honolulu Harbor near a channel buoy.

The Medical Examiner's Office identified the woman as Hong Cha Skinner of Honolulu. An autopsy is scheduled for today to determine cause of death.

The department's fireboat responded to a request from the Coast Guard at 8:20 a.m. to pick up the body, which was turned over to police for investigation.

Bryan Cheplic, spokesman for the city Emergency Services Department, said Skinner was pronounced dead at 9:26 a.m. Cheplic said that based on the state of decomposition, her body did not appear to have been in the water for long.

HONOLULU

Woman allegedly slaps 1-year-old

Police are investigating a report of a 52-year-old woman who allegedly slapped a 1-year-old boy.

The woman, a Honolulu military base child day care center worker, was seen allegedly slapping the boy in the face at 7:30 a.m. yesterday, police said.

A 32-year-old woman reported the alleged assault to authorities. Military investigators and police are investigating the case.

Police have classified the incident as a third-degree assault case. No arrest has been made.

Woman nabbed after robbery

A 24-year-old woman was arrested Saturday on suspicion of robbing a 29-year-old man in the university area.

At about 1:50 p.m. the woman demanded money from the man and tried to reach into his pockets, police said. While wrestling with the man on the ground, the woman snatched some cash from his pocket and then fled.

Police arrested her nearby on suspicion of second-degree robbery.

WAIKIKI

Choking attack leads to arrest

Police arrested a 39-year-old Waikiki man Saturday who allegedly choked a woman to the point of unconsciousness.

At 7 a.m. the man began choking a 27-year-old woman during a domestic argument, police said. Police arrested him at his Nohonani Street home on suspicion of abuse.

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

North Kona fires scorch 10 acres

Big Island fire officials were investigating two suspicious fires alongside Makalawena Access Road in North Kona Sunday afternoon, according to a Hawaii County news release.

The fires were reported at about 11:23 a.m. in an area accessible only by off-road vehicles. Officials evacuated Makalawena and Kua Bay areas as a precaution. The fires burned 10 acres. No one was hurt.

Police ask for help to locate man, 28

The Big Island Police Department is renewing its request for the public's help in finding a man who was reported missing in Hilo. Lee Robert Smith, 28, was last seen at his Keaukaha home on Nov. 16. Police said he has a condition that requires medication.

Smith is described as 6 feet 2 inches tall, about 145 pounds, with brown eyes, brown hair and a goatee. He was last seen wearing a bright red T-shirt and dark red surf shorts.

Anyone with information about Smith may call the Police Department's nonemergency phone number, 935-3311.