Mom arrested in kicking of 5-year-old

A 32-year-old woman, attempting to discipline her 5-year-old daughter Tuesday, allegedly kicked her several times, including once to the back of the head, police said.

Police said the attack happened about 8:30 a.m. in Ahuimanu, and the woman was arrested about 2:45 p.m. on suspicion of second-degree assault.

The woman kicked the girl several times in the back, causing her to fall down, then kicked her one last time, which left a severe cut behind the girl’s left ear, police said.

The girl’s older sister waited until the mother left home, then called police and reported the incident, police said. Police did not disclose the sister’s age or the girl’s condition.

Police seek suspect in Aiea burglary

Police are looking for an intruder who broke into a closed restaurant Tuesday with a pry bar.

A 53-year-old man called police about 3:30 a.m. when he saw the suspect run from the Aiea Commercial Center with the pry bar, police said.

Officers found the restaurant’s front door damaged and the safe inside pried open, police said. They scanned the area, but couldn’t find the man.

A second-degree burglary case has been opened.

Fight over inheritance ends in arrest

A dispute between two relatives over an inheritance led to the arrest of a 53-year-old man Monday afternoon in Kaneohe.

Police said the 53-year-old man was cleaning out the back yard of a deceased relative with a 58-year-old man when they argued over an inheritance. The argument escalated and the 53-year-old threatened the older relative with a "dangerous instrument," according to a police report.

The incident happened at 12:50 p.m. The suspect was arrested at his residence in Kaneohe.

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

Police civilian staff cut back

HILO » Big Island residents are being advised that most Hawaii County police stations will have no civilian staff to assist the public on the first and third Fridays through June 17.

On those furlough days, the public will be unable to conduct a variety of transactions. For instance, they will be unable to pick up police reports, register firearms or request fingerprinting services.

At the main police station in Hilo, the Finance Office and the Traffic Services Section also will be closed on the first and third Fridays of the month. On those days, the public won’t be able to process road closure permits or requests for special duty officers.

Police officials say officers will work on furlough days.

Candles tied to Kauai fire

Unattended burning candles started a fire that damaged a home in Wailua, Kauai, a county spokeswoman said yesterday.

Firefighters responded to the blaze at Royal Drive at 5:38 p.m. Monday. Neighbors saw flames in the studio apartment on the home’s second floor and immediately alerted the residents, a brother and sister. Fire officials said the fire spread to the ground floor of the house.

The fire was extinguished at 6:45 p.m.

Fire officials classified the fire as accidental. Damage to the structure and contents was estimated at $700,000.

Crew saves opihi picker

Big Island firefighters rescued an opihi picker who was swept out to sea Sunday night near Kings Landing in Hilo.

The incident was reported at 6:21 p.m. The victim was swept into the ocean and couldn’t make it back to land, firefighters said. The Fire Department helicopter and a rescue boat were able to reach the opihi picker and bring the victim back to shore.