NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

Search halted for missing fisherman

The Big Island fire department has ended a search for a 35-year-old fisherman missing since Thursday. The man was fishing with a friend along Government Beach Road in Waawaa in lower Puna when he jumped into the ocean holding a rope and tried to cross a channel, according to a fire department news release. The man was apparently unable to climb onto a rock across the channel and succumbed to the waves.

The fire department helicopter, divers and rescue boats searched about 20 square miles of ocean. Crews also searched about eight miles of shoreline before the search was called off yesterday afternoon.

Father is charged in infant's assault

A four-month-old infant was in critical condition at the Queen's Medical Center and his father charged with causing serious head injuries to his baby, Big Island police said.

Kainoa C. E. Poepoe-Vigil, 18, was charged Friday afternoon with first-degree assault. He was being held at the Hilo cellblock in lieu of $100,000 bail, and is scheduled to appear in court tomorrow afternoon.

On Wednesday fire rescue workers found the infant unresponsive and took the baby to the Hilo Medical Center. He was later flown to the Queen's Medical Center on Oahu.

Hilo detectives are looking for any witnesses in this case, including a man identified only as “;Brian,”; who may have witnessed the alleged assault in the parking lot of Prince Kuhio Plaza. A man with a Playboy Bunny tattoo on his neck, who may have spent some time with Poepoe-Vigil and the infant, also is being sought.

Any witnesses should call the Police Department's non-emergency line at 935-3311. Those who prefer anonymity may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona.

Puna man arrested in trafficking case

A two-month investigation led to the arrest of a 36-year-old Puna man on drug trafficking charges, Big Island police said.

Jason Kaleo Ledward was arrested Tuesday and charged with three counts of meth trafficking, three counts of promoting a dangerous drug, three counts of drug paraphernalia and one count of promoting a detrimental drug. He was released after posting $61,250 bail.

Police said they seized about 4.5 ounces of crystal methamphetamine, with a wholesale street value of $16,000. Police also recovered three motor vehicles and a custom-built motorcycle.

WINDWARD OAHU

Man knifed in fight is taken to hospital

A 35-year-old man was taken to the Queen's Medical Center in serious condition Friday night after he was stabbed during an argument, police said.

Several males were reported fighting at an Ahuimanu Road address in Kaneohe at about 11:07 p.m., according to the report. A friend took the victim to the Kahaluu Fire Station and firefighters called police.

HONOLULU

Woman's plunge closes H-1 lanes

Police closed the east-bound lanes of the H-1 Freeway yesterday afternoon after a woman jumped off the 7th Avenue pedestrian overpass at about 1:40 p.m., police said.

Traffic was rerouted to the 6th Avenue off-ramp for about a half-hour until two lanes were opened to traffic. All lanes were reopened just after 3 p.m.

The 49-year-old woman was pronounced dead at the Queen's Medical Center, police said.