Man charged in escape attempt

A 38-year-old Mililani man was charged yesterday for allegedly trying to escape from police custody at the Queen's Medical Center, taking an officer's handgun and baton, then threatening to hit a female patient with the baton.

Prosecutors charged Wayne Naholowaa with first-degree attempted escape, first-degree attempted theft, first-degree terroristic threatening, kidnapping, first-degree assault on a police officer and second-degree theft. Bail was set at $250,000.

Naholowaa was in custody for allegedly threatening his wife with a shotgun, rifle and hunting knife Tuesday, and had been charged Wednesday with three counts of first-degree terroristic threatening.

While at the police cellblock, Naholowaa complained of stomach and chest pains and was taken to the hospital.

According to a police affidavit filed in Honolulu District Court, a nurse asked the police officer to remove his handcuffs so she could draw blood. When the officer tried to put the handcuffs back on, Naholowaa resisted and tried to take the officer's handgun, court documents said. Naholowaa didn't get the gun, but was able to grab the officer's baton. Naholowaa then allegedly walked to a woman lying in a gurney and threatened to hit her. The officer called for backup, and another officer arrived, pulled the woman to safety and assisted in handcuffing Naholowaa, documents said.

Rider hurt on mo-ped improves

A 20-year-old male Coast Guardsman critically injured Thursday night in a mo-ped accident improved yesterday.

A Coast Guard spokesman said yesterday that the man, who is assigned to the Coast Guard cutter Jarvis, is now responsive.

The mo-ped rider was critically injured when he lost control of his blue-and-silver mo-ped about 11:25 p.m. on Nimitz Highway, 20 feet west of Waiakamilo Road, police said.

He was heading westbound on Nimitz when he crossed the intersection of Waiakamilo, then hit a curb and median, police said.

Alcohol may have been a factor, police said.

The man was taken to the Queen's Medical Center in critical condition, police said.

The rider was not wearing a helmet.

Search continues for tour-goer

The search for a missing 26-year-old man who disappeared while on a tour along the Wailua River continued yesterday, according to a Kauai County news release.

Kauai firefighters and rescue specialists were helped by state Department of Land and Natural Resources personnel in their search for the man, who disappeared near Secret Falls. The man appeared to be acting erratically and ran into the forest Thursday, the county said.

The Fire Department resumed its search at 8 a.m. yesterday aided by state personnel. A helicopter and a canine unit joined the search at 4 p.m. yesterday.

Makaha fire deemed intentional

Honolulu Fire Department investigators determined that a Makaha house fire on April 5 was intentionally set.

The fire at 84-429 Jade St. began inside the two-story house and destroyed it, causing an estimated $400,000 damage. Seven people were left homeless.

No one was home at the time of the fire.

The case was turned over to police.