Honolulu police arrested a 31-year-old man following a car chase that led them from Manoa to the Pali Highway and Waimanalo before ending on Kamehameha Highway near the Hawaii Pacific University campus late this morning.

A woman passenger, 20, also was arrested.

Officers from the East Honolulu Crime Reduction Unit spotted the man, who had been wanted on a warrant, driving a van, police said.

A high-speed chase involving police vehicles and a police helicopter ensued.

Witness Steve Kapela was heading toward Kailua on Kalanianaole Highway when he saw a police roadblock set up at Castle Junction. 

Kapela said to avoid the scene, he turned right onto Ulupuni Street, the last turn-off before the junction. As he neared a T-intersection on Ulumawao Street, his car almost was hit head-on by a green van speeding toward him, Kapela said.

The van was sparking, presumably from wheels with flattened tires, and had extensive damage to its front grill and left fender, he said, adding that the van was being pursued by at least eight police cars.

The chase ended on Kamehameha Highway when the fleeing vehicle finally gave out, police said. The male suspect attempted to flee on foot but was chased down by officers.

The man arrested has a lengthy record and had been wanted on a forgery count as well as a contempt charge, police said.