Waianae man dies in mo-ped accident

A 36-year-old Waianae man was killed Monday when he crashed his mo-ped in front of Waianae District Park near Kauiokalani Place.

At about 10 p.m. the man was operating a black mo-ped in the town-bound lanes of Farrington Highway when he lost control, apparently struck a curb and was thrown from the vehicle, according to police.

The man struck a utility pole and suffered serious head injuries. He was taken to a trauma center, where he was pronounced dead.

Speed was a possible factor, and the man was not wearing a helmet, police said.

This is Oahu's 54th traffic-related fatality of the year compared with 46 at the same time last year.

Lightning causes 2 Kona brush fires

Two of three brush fires raging in Kona are believed to have been ignited by lightning, Hawaii County said.

The fires, all in remote areas far from houses, were contained and are expected to be extinguished today.

Fires near an elevation of 4,000 feet scorched portions of the Yee Hop Ranch and Kealakekua Ranch, the county said. The cause of those two blazes was believed to be lightning.

The cause of a fire at Hokukano Ranch was still under investigation.

The altitude prevented county helicopters from making water drops, but firefighters continued to apply water to the perimeter and have bulldozers cut firebreaks, the county said.

A thick canopy of trees also would have prevented water drops from reaching the Hokukano fire.

The smoke from the three fires, along with vog, caused respiratory problems for some residents.

2 rescued on Kauai after hiking trouble

The Kauai Fire Department airlifted a 22-year-old woman and her 20-year-old brother from Kalalau Valley yesterday afternoon.

The father of the two had hiked out and reported his daughter was having an anxiety attack and was unable to hike out. Her brother stayed behind with her.

Two rescue specialists flew into the valley on Inter-island Helicopters at the Kalalau landing pad and dropped them off at Kee Beach, where their father was waiting.

Fireworks believed to have ignited blaze

Fire officials believe a 1-acre brush fire in Kalama Valley in Hawaii Kai yesterday may have been related to fireworks.

Fire Capt. Terry Seelig said the blaze appeared to have started right on the side of Kealahou Street near the intersection with Kalanianaole Highway.

Firefighters responded to the 12:43 p.m. fire and had it contained by 1:23 p.m.

The fire did not threaten any homes. One lane of Kealahou Street was closed, and the other had to be contra-flowed while firefighters put out the fire.