SUV strikes, kills man along highway

A 28-year-old Kaneohe man was killed in Ahuimanu yesterday morning when a sport utility vehicle veered off Kahekili Highway and struck him as he was walking along the side of the road, police said.

The collision occurred about a quarter-mile south of Okana Road, between Ahuimanu and Ahaolelo roads, at 5:19 a.m.

Both the SUV and the pedestrian were heading south, police investigators said.

The man suffered severe head and body injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver, a 56-year-old Kaneohe woman, was not injured and stopped.

The death was the 52nd on Oahu roads this year, compared to 49 at this date last year.

Free diver drowns off Kaneohe Bay

A free diver in his 50s was found in waters off Kaneohe Bay yesterday afternoon, the victim of an apparent drowning.

Firefighters and the Navy were called around 1:50 p.m. when two people who had been diving with the victim reported that he had not returned to their boat, said Honolulu Fire Department Capt. Terry Seelig.

The HFD helicopter spotted the body about 3:10 p.m. floating in waters about a quarter-mile off of the Kaneohe side of Kapapa Island, Seelig said.

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

Man charged in murder of neighbor

Police charged a 62-year-old man with murder and assault after a double stabbing at his Kailua-Kona condominium complex in what appeared to be a long-standing feud between neighbors.

Gene Craig Wells allegedly killed his neighbor Edward Wanat, 57, by stabbing him several times in the chest and abdomen, police said. He also allegedly stabbed Wanat’s son, Andrew, 25, who received cuts to his hands, arms, shoulder and face and was taken to the hospital in stable condition and later released.

Wells was charged with second-degree murder and second-degree assault last night. His bail was set at $260,000.

Court documents show that in 2008 Wells took out a temporary restraining order against the Wanats for harassment. Andrew Wanat also secured a TRO against Wells for allegedly threatening him with a knife.

Biker dies in crash with cow

A Big Island man has died of injuries received when the motorcycle he was driving ran into a cow in North Kohala.

Police yesterday identified the man as 26-year-old Patrick K. Bowles of Waimea.

They say Bowles was wearing a helmet when the motorcycle struck the cow on Kohala Ranch Road and Kanaloa Drive at about 8:50 p.m. Wednesday night. He was taken to North Hawaii Community Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Police say excessive speed appears to be a factor.