2 dogs escape injury in apartment fire

Firefighters rescued two dogs from a fire Monday at a 15th-floor apartment near the Ala Wai Yacht Harbor.

The fire was confined to a bedroom at the Ala Wai Terrace at 1684 Ala Moana Blvd., said Capt. Terry Seelig, Fire Department spokesman. Damage was estimated at $25,000.

The woman who lives in the apartment was not at home when firefighters responded to the 8:47 a.m. alarm, and the building’s resident manager opened the door to the unit, Seelig said. The dogs were not injured.

2 men arrested after driver reports robbery

Police have arrested two men in connection with a robbery in Waikiki Sunday morning.

Police officers were at a crime scene at Kuhio Avenue and Nohonani Street when a vehicle screeched to a halt near them. The frantic driver stepped out of the vehicle and told officers his passengers had robbed him, police said.

The two passengers, ages 18 and 23, were arrested and are being held pending charges of robbery and kidnapping.

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

Diving victim was Lanai High worker

A 51-year-old free diver who died Sunday morning off Lanai after he was struck by a Lahaina-based tour and snorkel boat was identified as Alan Amoncio, 51, a custodian at Lanai High and Elementary School.

Maui County police, the state Department of Land and Natural Resources and the Coast Guard were investigating the accident, which was reported at 10:30 a.m. in Kaumalapau Harbor. The incident occurred 150 feet from the harbor entrance.

Police Lt. Ricky Uedoi said Amoncio was diving with his wife and had set out flags to mark his dive position, and that a dive flag was attached to him.

A Maui County spokesman said 25 people were on a snorkeling outing on a Zodiac tour boat, the Wiki Wahine, operated by Ultimate Rafting Adventures. After the accident, the boat operator dropped off the passengers and returned to the scene to help.

The harbor is on the west side of the island, about seven miles from Lanai City. It is the main harbor for the island and where most fishing boats depart.

Waiehu resident safe after blaze

A Waiehu man escaped from a burning home Sunday after being awakened by a smoke alarm, the Maui Fire Department said.

Rick Liserr, 84, was asleep in his single-story home at 1356 Hiahia St. when his smoke detector went off at midday. Liserr got out of the house, but the fire caused $400,000 in damage to the house and contents.

Investigators said the fire probably was started by an electrical short in the garage.