Kalaeloa plane wreck removed

The wreckage of a downed Piper Cherokee 140 single-engine aircraft was removed from the crash site in Kalaeloa yesterday.

The National Transportation Safety Board is leading the investigation into the crash, which injured three people.

The airplane crashed along Coral Sea Road about 11:40 a.m. The plane was practicing touch-and-go landings. The pilot radioed that she had lost power just before the crash.

Emi Wilkie, a 40-year-old Punahou resident, was identified as one of the three injured in the crash. She was listed in guarded condition Friday. Another man in his 50s and woman in her 20s were also at the Queen's Medical Center in guarded and critical condition.

Road reopened after rock slide

Diamond Head Road was reopened yesterday afternoon after a Friday rock slide.

The slide occurred about 5 p.m. Friday. Police shut down the road in both directions while state crews cleaned up and engineers examined the stability of the slope. The road was reopened about 5:50 p.m. yesterday.

Mayor of Kauai declares emergency

Kauai Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. issued an emergency declaration for the Garden Island on Friday following flooding earlier this month.

The declaration allows residents with verified damages to file a claim for property tax relief. The Kauai Civil Defense Agency has received 50 reports of damage so far, totaling $1.1 million.

22 stung in monthly jellyfish influx

At least 22 people were stung by box jellyfish yesterday on the first day of a monthly influx of the stinging creatures. A Hawaii lifeguard Web site reported 405 box jellyfish found at Waikiki Beach and five more at Ala Moana Beach. The jellyfish generally come ashore about 10 days after a full moon.

Car-crushing stunt hits a bump

HILO » A Hilo Chevrolet dealer literally crushed his Asian auto competition - but found the stunt harder to pull off than expected.

Island Chevrolet manager James Severtson arranged for a Chevrolet Suburban SUV outfitted with massive tires costing $5,000 apiece to drive over a Honda Accord on Friday.

On the first attempt, the monster truck blew a hydraulic hose and leaked vital fluid while the Honda remained intact and ready for more. After several hours, the truck was repaired and driver Ryan Kepiki tried again.

This time, a second victim, a Hyundai Excel sedan, was parked next to the Honda. Kepiki drove over the cars' hoods, destroying the windshields to the seeming delight of the rush-hour crowd.

Kepiki plans to drive over both vehicles again today.