Murder attempt brings jail term

A Kauai woman will spend 18 months behind bars for trying to kill her boyfriend by pinning him between her car and a fence.

The Garden Island reported Friday that in addition to the prison term, Kehaunani Kauo was also sentenced to five years’ probation and will be required to undergo psychological and substance abuse treatment.

Kauo pleaded no contest to second-degree attempted murder in July.

Kauai police say that on Dec. 15, Kauo struck her then-boyfriend Robert Villaros with her station wagon.

Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Melinda Mendes said Kauo intended to cause serious injury by aiming the car at him.

Villaros was treated for cuts and bruises.

Kauai Circuit Chief Judge Randall Valenciano said luck prevented Kauo from killing or seriously injuring her ex-boyfriend.

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

Arson suspect held in Milolii blaze

Hawaii County police arrested a 62-year-old Milolii man Friday on suspicion of arson in connection with a house fire on Wednesday.

Donald McKay of Milolii Village was being held Friday at the Kona police cellblock pending further investigation.

Kona patrol officers and Fire Department personnel responded to a fire at 10:55 p.m. Wednesday at an unoccupied house on Kai Avenue in Milolii. After they extinguished the fire, a Fire Department investigation with the assistance of a scent-discriminating canine determined that the origin of fire was of a suspicious nature. Property loss from the fire was estimated at $480,000.

A police investigation led to McKay’s arrest Friday morning in Kailua-Kona.

Unwanted medicine sought by county

The Hawaii County Police Department is encouraging the public to turn in unused, unneeded or expired prescription medications Oct. 29 in a nationwide prescription drug take-back program.

The prescription drug take-back program sponsored by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the state departments of the Attorney General and Public Safety, and community partners.

The following are Hawaii island collection sites for safe, anonymous disposal:

» National Guard Aviation facility, 1095 Kekuanaoa St. (airport access road).

» Hilo and Kealakehe police station parking lot, 74-611 Hale Makai Place, Kailua-Kona.

Tablets, capsules and other solid forms will be accepted for incineration. No intravenous solutions, injectables or syringes will be accepted.

Illegal drugs such as marijuana will not be accepted.