Driver is shot twice in McCully

A 24-year-old man who was shot twice by a man in McCully remained in critical condition yesterday, and the suspect was at large last night, a police spokeswoman said.

The man was taken in critical condition to the Queen's Medical Center Thursday night after he was shot, police said.

Police said a man entered the victim's car at 8:15 p.m. brandishing a gun, and told the victim to drive.

The assailant shot the driver, and the car traveled several blocks before stopping at Fern and Hoawa streets, police said. The assailant fled on foot.

The victim's condition turned from serious to critical before he reached the trauma center, according to a spokesman for the city Department of Emergency Services.

Child with lighter caused house fire

A child playing with a lighter accidentally caused a fire Tuesday, destroying a house belonging to a Mililani church, fire investigators found.

The Samoan Congregational Church of Mililani pastor's daughter was house-sitting, along with her husband and their 3-year-old son, while her parents were away.

A female relative, who lived at the 94-021 Mahau Place home, received minor injuries. No one else was injured.

A relative said the four who were home were asleep when the fire broke out.

Damage to the home was estimated at $900,000, including $50,000 to its contents.

Big Islander faces 'ice' charges

Big Island police arrested a 44-year-old Pepeekeo man Tuesday for allegedly trafficking in methamphetamine in Keaau.

Carlito Castillo was arrested by “;ice”; task force officers carrying 3.1 grams of crystal methamphetamine in the parking lot of the Orchidland Wikiwiki Mart.

Police found an additional 2.2 grams of crystal meth in his sport utility vehicle as well as a digital scale, pipe and numerous empty plastics bags.

Castillo was charged with promotion of a dangerous drug, drug paraphernalia and methamphetamine trafficking offenses, with bail set at $12,000.