Lahaina man, 19, dies as car crashes into tree

A 19-year-old Lahaina man died in a one-car crash early yesterday morning, Maui police said.

The man, identified as Edyngton Naki Jr., crashed a 2002 four-door sedan on Wainee Street, just north of Papalaua Street in Lahaina.

At 2:19 a.m. Naki was traveling north on Wainee, lost control of the car, crossed the road and hit a tree. He was pinned in the vehicle, which caught fire, and he died at the scene, police said.

Naki's death was the county's 20th road fatality this year, the same number at this time last year.

Murder inquiry opens into Kauai man's death

Kauai police have opened a murder investigation into the death of a man whose body was found Monday morning in a car in Wailua Homesteads.

An autopsy conducted yesterday revealed that Daniel Buonanno, 37, of Kapaa, died as a result of homicide, according to a county news release.

Police said Buonanno's body, found at 7:33 a.m. Monday in a car on Loop Road, had apparent injuries.

Anyone with information about any occurrence on Loop Road between Sunday night and Monday morning is asked to call Detective James Kurasaki at 246-8101, police dispatch, 241-1711, or CrimeStoppers, 241-1887.

Teens 'surfing' on roofs of moving cars reported

Big Island police are investigating two reports of teenagers “;car surfing”; on the roofs of moving vehicles.

Police said they have talked with the owner of one vehicle and are following leads on a second incident after receiving reports of teenagers riding on the roofs of cars on Kaloko Drive in Kailua-Kona.

“;In addition to being illegal, riding outside a car or standing in a pickup truck are extremely dangerous,”; said Capt. Samuel Jelsma, commander of the Kona District, said in a news release.

Kalihi girl, 12, arrested in robbing of youngster

Police arrested a 12-year-old girl at a Kalihi school Monday for allegedly grabbing an 11-year-old girl by the hair, throwing her to the ground and then robbing her last month.

The alleged robbery occurred at about 2:20 p.m. Oct. 1.

The victim was walking home when the older girl grabbed her by the hair, threw her to the ground and then demanded money. The girl was later identified and arrested at school for second-degree robbery.

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

Kauai man gets 1 year for 7 accidents

LIHUE » A one-year prison sentence has been handed down in the case of a Kauai man who caused seven traffic accidents in 20 minutes, leaving three people injured.

The accidents caused by Randy Melendez in his pickup truck occurred last Dec. 21 along an 8-mile stretch of road between Lihue and Kapaa.

Melendez was initially charged with 13 crimes, including six counts of leaving the scene of an accident and four counts of reckless driving. Under a plea agreement, he was allowed to plead guilty to two felonies and six misdemeanors.

At his sentencing last week, Melendez explained his actions by saying his wife had left him, his contracting business was failing, he was worried about how he was going to make two home mortgage payments and he was on prescription drugs.

Big Island police search for gunman who robbed Waimea pharmacy

Big Island police are asking for the public's help in finding a gunman who robbed a Waimea pharmacy yesterday.

Police said the man, whose face was obscured, entered the phamacy off Kawaihae Road with a handgun and demanded drugs.

He then fled on foot and headed south into some bushes.

The suspect is described as possibly in his 20s, between 5-foot-7 and 5-foot-10 with a slim-to-medium build. He was wearing camouflage clothing and carrying a camouflage backpack.

Police ask anyone with information about this case to call Detective Sean Smith at 326-4646, extension 275, or the Police Department's nonemergency line at 935-3311.

Big Island police are asking for the public's help in finding a gunman who robbed a Waimea pharmacy yesterday.

Police said the man, whose face was obscured, entered the phamacy off Kawaihae Road with a handgun and demanded drugs.

He then fled on foot and headed south into some bushes.

The suspect is described as possibly in his 20s, between 5-foot-7 and 5-foot-10 with a slim-to-medium build. He was wearing camouflage clothing and carrying a camouflage backpack.

Police ask anyone with information about this case to call Detective Sean Smith at 326-4646, extension 275, or the Police Department's nonemergency line at 935-3311.